HELM WIND
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single video channel
6.1 anamorphic sound system

The Helm Wind is an extreme meteorological phenomenon that affects the United Kingdom, particularly the northwest of England and the southwest of Scotland. It is a strong and gusty wind that is caused by the meeting of warm and cold air masses, and it can cause significant damage to property and disrupt travel.

Research into the helm wind was carried out by Gordon Manley in the 1930s. He interpreted the phenomenon in hydrodynamic terms as a "standing wave" . The Helm Wind is known for its particularly strong and gusty sound, which can be intimidating and unsettling for those who are caught in its path.

​In this project I developed a 6 hour recording, by using a metal rope installed on top of High Cup Nick, a U-shaped Glaciel Valley, particularly affected by the phenomenon. By attaching specially prepared microphones into the metal rope, the goal was to record the "Standing Waves" described in Gordon Manley´s journals.

The project is part of a series of works, developed during an artistic Residency in VARC ( Visual Arts for Rural Communities) in the Uk. During this period all works created focused on local extreme weather phenomena.


The piece was presented as a 6 hour, single channel video, with a 6.2 anamorphic sound system.

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