MCA Sonic Arboretum

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago - The Sonic Arboretum is a collaboration between composer / violinist Andrew Bird and sculptor / inventor Ian Schneller of Specimen Products. It is a sonic installation consisting of a "forest” of plant-shaped audio horn speakers powered by custom-made tube amplifiers. These speakers and amps serve as a compositional garden for Bird who creates new site-specific compositions that play continuously as visitors meander and follow the music's lead.
Thumbnail for MCA Sonic Arboretum in Chicago consisting of a huge installation of horn speakers and tube amps by Specimen Products and original, constantly shifting music by Andrew Bird.
Thumbnail for MCA Sonic Arboretum in Chicago consisting of a huge installation of horn speakers and tube amps by Specimen Products and original, constantly shifting music by Andrew Bird. Includes two big spinning double horns for a flange effect.
Thumbnail for MCA Sonic Arboretum in Chicago consisting of a huge installation of horn speakers and tube amps by Specimen Products and original, constantly shifting music by Andrew Bird.
Thumbnail for MCA Sonic Arboretum in Chicago consisting of a huge installation of horn speakers and tube amps by Specimen Products and original, constantly shifting music by Andrew Bird. Here is a closeup of the giant 8-channel tube amp that was used for part of the installation.
Thumbnail for MCA Sonic Arboretum in Chicago consisting of a huge installation of horn speakers and tube amps by Specimen Products and original, constantly shifting and reconfigured music by Andrew Bird. View from the floor above showing the two giant horns at either end of the atrium.
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