One should never mistake ... pattern for meaning is an installation that creates a physical sound experience. The artwork consists of a powerful sound system capable of playing sound into the infrasonic range and a set of sound generators that create a constantly varying sonic output. The artwork explores a visceral reaction to sound as frequencies move beyond what the human body can hear and pass into what we can physically feel.

Vintage function generators, analogue test equipment are chained together to create a constantly changing set of tones that are tuned to the resonant frequencies of the gallery space. The long wavelengths of sound below the level of hearing are of the dimensions of building spaces and low frequency standing sound waves are formed. This sound can be felt, the human body is vibrated and the sound becomes sculpture. Walking around the gallery space enables the audience to find nodes of powerful sound and other areas where the sound disappears.

The artwork is a reflection on both the cultural heritage of dance music as well as an investigation into the physical possibilities of sound. Inspired by dub, dance and rave culture the sound system was developed with the help of dub sound systems in Manchester and incorporates experimental infrasonic and sub bass designs into the custom made speakers. The function generators used to create the sound and the oscilloscope used to visualise the sound waves echo the earliest synthesizers, their simplicity demystifies the process and enables the audience to visually understand the sound creation.

Shown at: Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park, London, UK

• https://www.alistairmcclymont.com/artwor...