Water is periodically pumped onto a roof structure in the form of a sculpture, causing water drops to fall in a rhythmic pattern that is determined by the contour of the ‘drip edge’ of the roof. The water drops fall onto a collection of suspended metal and plastic objects that form a rhythmic percussion ensemble. Each percussive object has a contact pickup attached to it, and the percussive signals are amplified through loudspeakers, built into a compartment under the roof.

The water pump is turned on and off automatically, so that once every five minutes, it pumps water onto the roof for approximately twenty seconds. When the pump turns on, a loud crash occurs as a rush of water pours over the edge of the roof to land on the amplified objects suspended below. When the pump switches off, the amount of water on the roof gradually diminishes, resulting in progressively fewer drops forming in succession. This results in an irregular series of percussive beats that gradually slow down in random form that is interrupted by a crash of water that signals the beginning of the cycle again.

©Gordon Monahan 2009

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