Michael Jantzen Sculpture

The Sounds of the Sun Pavilion

The Sounds of the Sun Pavilion is a conceptual proposal for a large structure made of many small, prefabricated, square, curved, steel tube components. These components are joined together to form thirteen large interwoven curved elements. One side of each of the large curved square elements is covered with flexible solar cells. The ends of each of the curved elements are formed into large funnel shapes. The solar cells generate electrical power and monitor the random distribution of light as it strikes different surfaces of the pavilion. The excess electricity generated by the solar cells is used to help power the community in which the pavilion is placed. Some of the electrical energy produced by the solar cells is used to generate electronic sounds based on the random movement of light over the surface of the structure. These random electronic sounds are heard by visitors through speakers, which are mounted inside of the funnel shaped ends of the large interwoven curved elements. These funnel shaped sections are also fitted with electric lights that are illuminated at night, and are also powered by the solar cells. At night or when the light levels are too low or unvaried, the sounds emitted from the structure are low and constant. When the light levels increase and begin to be monitored by the solar cells, the sounds vary widely in their pattern and volume and are never exactly the same from day to day.

The design of the shape of the pavilion comes from a desire to create a structure with a great deal of com plex surface area, relative to the ever changing position of the sun, as its light moves over the pavilion throughout the day. The curved elements refer to exaggerated versions of the arcs of the sun, as it moves across the sky.