Gossamer Steel    Metal Works
Pythagorean Comma
2006
Steel, patina, wax
16" x 16"
Abstract metal painting. This piece is inspired by the incremental increase in pitch as you move up a musical scale perfectly tuned. To compensate for this "unruly" increase, the notes of our equal temperament scale are flattened the value of the Pythagorean comma. On a piano, for example, only the octaves are perfect. The fifths, fourths, thirds and so forth are not - they are 'tempered', 'adapted' --all of our modern instruments have been tuned slightly out of tune. When this tuning system was introduced many where reluctant as they believed that their music would no longer be heard by the heavens.
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