CrayVox is a new project under development for the IASKA Space(D) Biennale which will debut at the Fremantle Arts Centre in February of 2012.
For most of April and May 2011 I have been living in Cray fishing communities on the Houtman Abrohlos Islands which are situated some 60 ~ 100 km west of Geraldton in Western Australia. The Abrohlos are the southernmost coral islands in the world and are home to a unique fishing industry which is struggling with issues of...
Weeping Willow is a twelve channel audio sculpture currently on exhibition in Istanbul as part of ISEA 2011 ~ and here is a link to my individual page.
The work is presented as an interactive audio sculpture in the form of a dinner table set with twelve Willow Pattern plates. Each plate is treated to show only a fragment of the original pattern, in such a manner that the entire set combines to form the complete image. In turn each plate is mounted on a Solid Drive...
The Law of the Tongue ~ or the Sonic Whale.
He who fights the monster should be careful lest he thereby becomes a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze into thee.
Frederick Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil.
The Sea and superstition go hand in hand. For centuries sailors unwittingly sensing the song of the Whale through their wooden hulled ships thought them Ghosts of the deep and despite the thousands of close encounters in the Whale hunt...
VoxAEther has recently been on exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane and as part of the Asian Art Biennale at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan. The work consists of four laser cut sculptural forms based upon the morphology and symmetry of microscopic Radiolaria, countless billions of which live in our oceans. At their nucleus each work contains Theremin electronics activated by the radial antennae that encircle the objects.
3D model, Cylinder...
Messing about in boats and Padme at MacQuarie University 2010.
Padme is a solar powered digital audio floating sculpture that is activated by wave motion and by water birds nudging the antennae-like motion sensing ‘whiskers’ that radiate from the work.
Padme (Nelumbo nucifera), the sacred lotus, is an aquatic plant that plays a central role in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Views of the Padme Installation
The lotus is...
I’m a Nomad not a Drifter, being Adrift is of course a different kettle of fish, as it implies an active surrender to the vagaries of the elements, be they maritime or psychological ~ I usually go for both!
The Adrift project was conceived and realised for the Memory Flows exhibition at the CarriageWorks in Sydney and comprised of two sounding vessels. My trusty sea kayak “Siika” pressed into sonic-service, equipped with a “Solid-Drive” transducer...
Zephyr ~ an Æolian Harp kinetic Sculpture for the Geraldton foreshore.
Methinks, it should have been impossible Not to love all things in a World like this, Where e’en the Breezes of the simple Air Possess the power and Spirit of Melody!
Coleridge, The Æolian Harp.
Well what do I say? This project has been (as it mentions below) a really long-time coming. The original project was completely stalled in 2010 after two months work and a total redesign requested by...
BioSonics is a significant development of former prototype works that investigate the morphology of microscopic marine organisms.
The Western Plains Museum and Art Gallery July until September 28th 2008.
BioSonics installed at Western Plains Cultural Centre August 2008.
The rational and the fantastical: the morphology of Nigel Helyer, by Gail Priest 2008
Despite Star Trek’s propagandist efforts for space as the final frontier, the vast...
Nigel has recently been an Artist in Residence at The Marine Mammal Laboratory (Tropical Marine Science Institute) of the National University of Singapore; developing a project for ISEA2008 exhibited at the National Museum of Singapore, July ~ August 2008.
Interactive audio cartography, driving a 12.2 immersive speaker rig.
Hydrophone location - Floating fish farm near Palau Ubin
Interface map
Catalogue Notes: The title is an ironic reference...
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This commission for a new Marine facility at Henderson WA has recently been completed. The work is comprised of three elements, a Video-projection work, a series of interactive biomorphic sculptures and an outdoor kinetic work, consisting of six counter-balanced needles which interact with the wind.
Three years on, the landscaping has matured and the kinetic work is as installed.
View from the lounge of the Marine Centre.
Laser cut...