In 1996, Anne Norman began collecting galvanised iron caps from the top of old electricity poles from various power company depots. These galvanised iron caps were made by the SEC (State Electricity Company of Victoria, Australia) to fit electricity poles made from tree trunks of varying diameters. Their function was to protect the poles from the weather and for mounting insulators above the poles. These iron caps make marvellous microtonal bells and have been performed numerous times by Anne and her colleagues in Victoria and Japan. These Power Pole Bells feature on several recordings and live performances have been recorded and broadcast by the ABC. Several PPBells were also used by Strange Fruit and performed from the top of swaying metal poles.
Anne’s collection of PPBells have a pitch range of nearly two octaves from approx 130 Hz to 440 Hz with diameters from 18cm to 32cm.
In 2003, Anne received a grant from the Australia Council (the arts funding and advisory body of the Commonwealth Government) towards making two structures: an acoustic performance frame of spring mounted bells (Spring Bells) and an electro-acoustic bell installation known as the Bell Garden.
Compositions by various composers featuring power pole bells LINKS
Spring mounted bells, photographs & information
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Bell Garden Installation
Still in development phase. Anne is collaborating with Angelo Fraietta on the electronics and Michael Sanders of IRONIC TWIST on the metal construction.
The multifunction Bell Garden is for use with movement artists and live musicians, and as an interactive public sound art installation for use in public galleries and arts festivals. It can be performed:
- with beaters acoustically
- with subtle amplification of the acoustic sound
- with electronic effect modulation of the acoustic sound
- through movement detectors triggering an auto striking mechanism
- through movement detectors triggering samples
- through strike triggered samples
Photos, schemata & further information
A composition by Anne Norman for power pole bells, shakuhachi and bass. Dedicated to the memory of Machiko Kaneko