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  • Listening Vessels exhibit
  • Listening Vessels exhibit
  • Listening Vessels exhibit
  • Listening Vessels exhibit

Listening Vessels

Hear here—with the help of a giant parabolic “ear.”

Enormous parabolic sculptures transmit a conversation—or even a whisper—from one person to another across a great distance.


Where:   Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening
Exhibit Developer:   Artist Douglas Hollis, 1987

What’s going on?

The parabolic shape of this pair of sculptures amplifies sound by reflection: Incoming sounds reflect from the surface of each vessel and get focused to a single spot called the focal point.

The seats in each vessel are carefully situated to put this focal point roughly in the location of your own ears, allowing you to hear the faintest whisper—loud and clear—from across a crowded room.

diagram showing parabolic shake of the Listening Vessels The parabolic shape of the Listening Vessels serves to redirect sound to a signal point called the focal point—here labeled with an F. (click image to enlarge)

 

acoustic mirrors made of concrete Before the invention of radar, acoustic mirrors made of concrete gave early warning of incoming enemy aircraft by concentrating the sound of their engines. (click image to enlarge)

 

Going further

Radio telescopes and satellite dishes collect and focus electromagnetic waves in the same way that the Listening Vessels focus sound waves.

In architecture, curved walls and domes can create acoustic effects similar to what you experience here. Statuary Hall, in Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Building, is legendary for its tricky acoustics. A whisper on one side of this half-domed room can be heard more than 15 meters (about 50 feet) away.

 
Phenomena: Parabolic Arc, Reflection
Keywords: amplification, focal point, parabolas
Aliases: Whispering Dishes
Collections: Artist-in-Residence, Listen

More to explore

Science activity that demonstrates an image produced by a parabolic mirror
Parabolas

It’s all done with mirrors.

Science activity that demonstrates the effect of air density on sound
Conversation Piece

A balloon acts as a lens to focus sound.

Science activity that demonstrates properties of convex mirrors
Spherical Reflections

Discover art and science in a myriad of spherical reflections.

Exploratorium: Find Your Rhythm

Find your rhythm—or bring to life the music in your head.

Related exhibits

All Eyes on Me
All Eyes on Me

Make yourself the center of attention—and reflect.

Giant Mirror
Giant Mirror

Pause to reflect in an oversized mirror with endless possibilities.

Archimedes
Archimedes

Parabolic dishes collect and focus sound waves and reflect them to participants seated within them.

Focused Conversation
Focused Conversation

This giant balloon bends sound waves just as a lens bends light.


IMLS acknowledgment

This web project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MA-30-16-0175-16].

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