Whirling Wall
A large wall of sheet metal is propped upright. Lots of spinning motors are attached to the back of the metal sheet knocking into the metal as they turn. A piezo microphone attached to each motor picks up each knock and feeds it into a Max/MSP patch which generates evocative music based on the beats and sounds of the motor knocks.
The performer wields a large heavy mallet and stake. By using the mallet to shape the sheet of metal, the timbre of the motor knocks and their speed is affected, which in turn alters the sound generated by the Max patch.
Heavy Metal Flower
Pieces of bendable metal sheet in a tulip-like shape about 4 ft. tall. The piece starts as incomprehensible noise. The performer stands in the middle of the flower twisting, bending, and trimming the metal with shears until it becomes apparent that there is a recognizable tune encoded within the metal. By bending in a step-by-step manner, the performer slowly exposes the tune until finally it is all very clear and obvious and sweet sounding.