Antti Tolvi

Location → Korkeasaari, Pikisaari

What is the difference between a human and a bird? 
Answer: When it is windy, a human instinctively turns their back towards the wind, a bird its beak.

Antti Tolvi’s sound installation “Ihmisen ja linnun ero” (The difference between a human and a bird) is located in Pikisaari, Oulu. The artwork asks us a simple question: Which way do we turn when the wind blows? Do we find the answer by facing things or do we turn our backs on them?

In the artwork, bass organ pipes are placed upright on the ground in the formation of the letter V. Each pipe has a small electric motor inside that blows air into the organ whistle, creating a sound. In calm weather, all the organ pipes play, whilst in windy weather, the soundscape varies. The mechanics of the artwork’s sound formation is the same as in a fipple flute: When the wind starts blowing, due to the direction of the wind, some of the organ pipes go out, because the wind hits the part of the organ pipe where the sound is formed. The organ plays in its full tone if the wind hits the tip of the V shape. If the wind blows directly towards the V-shaped opening, the organ is silent. And everything in between, depending on wind direction and speed.

The soundscape of the artwork is quiet and gentle. The viewer must stand close to the organ pipes to be able to hear the sound created by the wind. The meditative artwork makes the immaterial force of nature visible and audible and invites you to stop and sense the environment in a holistic way.