Created in 1970, The Sound of Ice Melting by Paul Kos consists of two 25-pound blocks of ice surrounded by eight microphones, an amplifier and speakers. The equipment is arranged to capture and amplify the faint sounds produced as the ice melts. It challenges the relationship between sound, time, nature and perception. Rather than focusing on a conventional visual object, the concept directs attention towards a subtle and often overlooked natural process. Ice melting is usually associated with sight and touch, but listening to it encourages the audience to experience the environment through a different sensory perspective. The piece challenges the perception of performance as a form of art and explores how performance can be an interesting approach to communication design. Sound can add a very visceral and stimulating aspect to communication, its a sense the can really resonate within the body.

Paul Kos | conceptual artist