inflatable tree-shaped sculpture by sky macklay plays the harmonica when you hug it

Harmonitrees by Sky Macklay

Composer and sound artist Sky Macklay introduces Harmonitrees, a sonic and kinetic installation of inflatable harmonica-playing sculptures. The tree-shaped inflatables use airbags to blow air through their harmonicas, and while they can jam on their own, they really come alive when users give them a big hug, creating an interactive musical experience.

‘As a musician and sound-obsessed person, I am constantly thinking about the physical properties of sound and the infinite possible ways that vibrating bodies can be manipulated to create different pitches, timbres, and shapes,’ shares Sky Macklay. ‘The sonic image I had in mind as I conceived my harmonica sculptures was this: what would it sound like to be surrounded by 84 giant-mouthed harmonica players who could each play ten pitches at once without ever needing to breathe?’

Harmonitrees at the Hand Art Center at Stetson University in October, 2020 | image: screenshot, Harmonitrees, courtesy Sky Macklay

Hugging harmonitrees for musical experimentation

The initial spark of inspiration for Sky Macklay (find more here) came while observing the ‘wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tube’ figures commonly seen by the roadside, promoting car dealerships. The thought crossed her mind: what if the air that whooshes through those quirky inflatables could be directed through harmonicas?

Imagining a scenario where multiple inflatables played in unison, Macklay saw the potential for crafting a tapestry of rich, uninterrupted harmonies. In the creation of Harmonitrees, vinyl, fans, and deconstructed harmonicas meld together, creating a playful interactive zone. Users have the option to let the sculptures inflate and deflate autonomously or engage more actively, even embracing the Harmonitrees tightly to experiment with the sounds they can produce.

users have the option to let the sculptures inflate and deflate autonomously or engage more actively | image: screenshot, Harmonitrees, courtesy Sky Macklay

inflatable tree mirrors the journey of crescendo & decrescendo

When it comes to visuals, Sky Macklay has used transparent plastic, allowing users to actually watch how the sound changes and even spot the vibrations. The composer and sound artist has opted for a pine tree shape because of their tall and structurally robust framework. The result sees a sculpture surges upward and descends downward, mirroring the auditory journey of crescendo and decrescendo. The large size of the installation offers users the opportunity to be transported to a different place, the world of the Harmonitrees where they live and make their own sounds.