Untitled

Artist Po Shu Wang

MediumGranite, stainless steel, epoxy, pvc piping, aluminum, wood

DimensionsStar Map: 48 in. (121.9 cm) Markers: 4 in. (10.2 cm)

ClassificationsMixed Media

Credit LineSeattle Parks and Recreation and City Light 1% for Art funds

Description: A constellation map etched in granite is installed under the conical skylight at the entrance to the lobby. A sun marker, four planet markers and the asteroid belt marker are inlaid in the lobby area. Four other planet markers [are] inlaid outdoors along the front walkway. A reference “constellation dial” is installed on the wall at the entrance to the lobby.

A tuning fork is set to vibrate within a capsule underneath each of the markers. All mechanical vibrations from traffic and pedestrians will be translated, through these tuning forks, into tonal ratios of what we call musical pitches. These tuning forks are arranged into a musical phrase from the Sun outward toward the farthest planet. The musical phrase could also be considered as starting from the Earth (the Star Map) and outward, which will give us a slightly different kind of music. And we shall not be able to hear the tones from above the ground.

Artist Statement: Apart from the visual components, the artwork is designed to reinterpret what is known in ‘speculative’ music as the ‘harmony of the spheres.’ Each astronomical sphere (and the asteroid belt included) of the solar system represents a musical note. For some researchers of science and art, these are real frequencies created by their different angular velocities, etc., while for others, they are just symbolic projections of our minds.

Location: Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Avenue North, Seattle WA 98133