Wave Organ
{{Short description|Sculpture in San Francisco, California, U.S.}}
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{{Use American English|date=March 2016}}
File:San Francisco Wave Organ.jpg
File:Recording of the Wave Organ, San Francisco, in September 2011.ogg
The Wave Organ is a sculpture located in San Francisco, California. It was constructed on the shore of San Francisco Bay in May 1986 by the Exploratorium,{{Cite web|date=2020-10-16|title=The Marina's Wacky and Wonderful Wave Organ|url=https://www.sfheritage.org/news/the-marinas-wacky-and-wonderful-wave-organ/|access-date=2021-10-15|website=San Francisco Heritage|language=en-US}} and more specifically, by installation artist and the Exploratorium artist-in-residence Peter Richards, who conceived and designed the organ, working with stonemason George Gonzales.Edwards, Megan. "A Visit to One of San Francisco's Most Delightful Secrets". Road Trip America, September 19, 2008. http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/waveorg.htm. Accessed January 1, 2016.{{Cite web|last=Weinstein|first=Dave|date=2006-12-30|title=The Art of the Craft: Stonemasons / Stones set for the ages / Masons' enthusiasm and commitment maintain an ancient craft|url=https://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/THE-ART-OF-CRAFT-Stonemasons-Stones-set-for-2464741.php |access-date=2021-10-15|website=SFGATE|language=en-US}}
The Wave Organ is dedicated to Frank Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer was the founding director of the Exploratorium, led the fundraising efforts for the Wave Organ, and died seven months before construction started.
Location
The Wave Organ is located at the end of a spit of land extending from the Golden Gate Yacht Club. There is a panoramic view of the city across the narrow channel into the St. Francis and Golden Gate yacht clubs, bounded on the left by the Fort Mason piers and to the right by a towering eucalyptus grove bordering Crissy Field. The park and trail to it are wheelchair accessible, with the trailhead at the Marina Green park.Lewkowicz, Bonnie. "Fort Mason and the Marina Green in San Francisco." WheelchairTraveling.com. http://www.wheelchairtraveling.com/fort-mason-and-the-marina-green-in-san-francisco/ Accessed January 1, 2016.
Mechanism
File:The Wave Organ, San Francisco Bay, California LCCN2013630489.tif
Through a series of 25 PVC pipes, the Wave Organ interacts with the waves of the bay and conveys their sound to listeners at several different stations. The effects produced vary depending on the level of the tide but include rumbles, gurgles, sloshes, hisses, and other more typical wave sounds. The sound is best heard at high tide.{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Peter |last2=Gonzalez |first2=George |date=2017-12-06 |title=Wave Organ |url=https://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/the-wave-organ |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Exploratorium |language=en}}
The structure incorporates stone platforms and benches where visitors may sit near the mouths of pipes, listening.{{Cite news|last=Veltman|first=Chloe|date=2010-03-28|title=Audio Aesthetics a Bit Removed From the Standard Do-Re-Mi|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/arts/28sfculture.html|access-date=2021-10-15|issn=0362-4331}} The stone pieces used in its construction were salvaged from the demolition of the Laurel Hill Cemetery in San Francisco.
See also
- Blackpool High Tide Organ (in Blackpool, England, UK)
- Sea Organ (in Zadar, Croatia)
- Chillida's Comb of the Wind (in San Sebastián / Donostia, Basque Country, Spain, 1976)
- Biospherical Digital-Optical Aquaphone{{cite news | author=Rick DelVecchio | title=Berkeley: Radio show makes cultural waves | url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Berkeley-Radio-show-makes-cultural-waves-2757328.php | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | date=21 May 2004 | access-date=2010-01-10}}
References
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External links
- Map: {{Coord|37|48|31|N|122|26|25|W|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-CA}}
- {{Official website}}
- [https://archive.today/20130118065131/http://www.bloosee.com/r/i3sQmQW BlooSee Infopoint]
- [http://seeattle.com/twins/usa_california_sanfrancisco_waveorgan.php Wave Organ on The Traveling Twins]
{{Experimental musical instruments}}
{{Public art in San Francisco}}
{{Sound sculptures}}
{{Water instruments}}
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Category:1986 establishments in California
Category:Landmarks in San Francisco