Trumpets of Joy
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‘I want to reframe sound as something that sparks joy and connection – something we actively participate in rather than passively endure,’ says Chung-Kun Wang. Hornscape Playground, his installation at Bankside Design District for London Design Festival, will transform a playground into a musical landscape of stainless steel and bright yellow tubing, emitting horn-like sounds – reminiscent of elephant trumpets – when set in motion by the human body.
The Taiwan-based artist has explored sound as a tangible experience throughout his career. ‘My past works often involve mechanical sound-making devices that invite people to create sound through direct physical action, so they can understand the relationship between sound and motion in the most immediate way.’
Hornscape Playground brings these ideas into a public realm, combining sound, form, and swinging motion in a shared outdoor environment. ‘Traditional playgrounds focus on physical activity, with sound as an incidental byproduct,’ he explains. Here, sound is at the centre.
‘The work blurs the boundaries between playground equipment, sculpture and instrument, with “playing” and “listening” becoming part of the same creative act.’
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When a participant swings, a pump beneath their seat pushes air through stainless-steel tubes, producing distinct pitches – all without the need for electricity. He chose elephants for their ‘bold, celebratory, and communal call, which can be felt as much as heard’. Stainless steel was selected for its durability, strength and acoustic properties, making it easy to maintain and suitable for outdoor and long-term use. ‘In terms of surface texture, a warm goose-yellow coating is applied, giving the work both the sculptural presence of an art piece and the friendly appeal of playground equipment,’ Wang adds.
The aim is to engage people of all ages. ‘I imagine children rushing to try each seat, exploring the differences between the horns and inventing their own rhythms. Adults might first be drawn by the visual form, then surprised by the joy of creating sound through movement.’ He hopes these shared moments of joy will spark connections between strangers.
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