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...
Bio_Logging is a collaboration between Artist Dr Nigel Helyer and Dr Mary-Ann Lea of the Institue for Marine and Antarctic Studies (University of Tasmania, Hobart) which seeks to link scientific bio-logging and GIS techniques with the Artist’s interests in interactive acoustic cartography and the development of Audio-Portraits which extend the conceptual and intuitive grasp of otherwise abstract data.
Kerguelen Islands
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...
M.A.R.I.N. made its debut at ISEA2009 Belfast in August 2009. This first expedition, the “Irish Sea EcoLocated Residency”, focused upon Littoral cultures: how marine ecologies close to human settlements are perceived by scientists and local communities, and how our art & science research team will introduce new cultural strategies to interlace them.
The MARIN vessel in Belfast harbour.
This first collaborative residency aboard the MARIN craft,...
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...
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...
A new work “Transformer” has been installed at the UnderCliff Vineyard in Wollembi alongside “Spinner” which remains in-situ from last year.
My approach to the sonic domain has always been informed by a Sculptor’s perspective which emphasises the experiential nature of sounds, linking them to the dynamic, material events that produce them and situating them within the environments that contain and propagate them.
“Transformer” would appear to...
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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...
Syren for Port Jackson has recently plied the waters of Sydney Harbour, delivering a unique location sensitive, immersive audio experience aboard the M.V. Regal.
The Syren project is part of the AudioNomad R+D project ~ a collaboration between the Artist Nigel Helyer and the Scientists Daniel Woo and Chris Rizos of the University of New South Wales.
The Regal approaching Darling Harbour.
‘Swarm’ is the latest development of a series of interactive ‘Theremin’ based sound sculptures (see ‘Ariel’, ‘Caliban’s Children’ and ‘Quint de Loup’). ‘Swarm’ is concieved to operate out-doors and is the first of the series to be solar powered ~ the work is installed in the Werribbe Mansion Park as part of the Herlen Lermpriere Sculpture Award.
Swarm 2005
stainless steel, acrylic, audio electronics, steel rigging cable
Footprint = 8,000 cm x 8,000 cm x 3,500 cm X10...