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H  E  A  R  T      B  E  A  T       N  E   S   T   2006
is a sound installation that was part of the At This Point-
Master of Contemporary Arts Exhibition at Falmouth College of Arts
 in September 2006.

Heart Beat Nests

Heart Beat Nest {feotus}

Heart Beat Nest {mother}

HEART BEAT NESTS- sound installation background information:

Sound material was recorded in May 2006 on my visit home to Finland. At the time, my sister Tiina was 6 months pregnant. We recorded the sound of the heart beats with my recording device from the ultra sound in the hospital.

I see this recording as an inner sound-scape where two hearts are beating in the same space, composing their individual rhythms. They hold dependency and relation to each other. The sound recording of the foetus’ heart beat is from a particular time of growth, and it is obviously faster than the mother’s heart beat.

The sound of 2 heart beats – foetus  / mother  are directed to be heard from different

speakers:                                  left          right

The nest’s represent the time when something is still to be born – part of the world but still invisible. It is a time of gathering and becoming, getting ready for change and growth. It is also a memory / a season / a home.

The sound is metallic as it has travelled through various technical devices, such as ultra sound, mini-disc, speaker cone, and as we hear it, it has also been adjusted with computer. Metallic texture of the sound and the softness of the nest itself, builds combination of technical and natural working together.

Low frequency sound which our ear is unable to hear in this piece creates visible “breathing / beating” - a rhythm on the speaker cone - which makes the nest itself to move. Movement created by low frequency was an interesting discovery, as it brings something visible to the eye which is unheard to the ear. I wanted to keep the movement very subtle, and nearly unnoticeable, so that those who pay attention, and look at it will realise its physical breathing and beating. 

This piece reflects ideas of presence and absence, as empty nest indicate the process of something been, born and moved on. At the time of the exhibition my sister’s child will be born. The physical sound landscape of the womb will be empty by then, without the beating heart of the foetus, yet the mother’s heart will still be beating.

Piece includes:

Cd / sound track of the beating hearts and low frequency sound
2 found birds nests
2 shelf’s made out of a found singer- sowing machine cover pieces
Amplifier
Dvd-player
Speaker cones and cable

Technical devices of the piece are purposely left visible as I see them being part of the work.  I feel that this piece operates equally as an aesthetical as sound composition.

Many thanks for Matt Davies for his technical support and enthusiasm in helping the Heart Beat Nests to be born *