Annette Kelm Helmholtz Sirene, 2017

Helmholtz Sirene depicts a Helmholtz siren in the center of the image, surrounded by four large monstera leaves, some of which rest on the siren but do not cover it. A soft green gradient forms the background.

The image creates a contrast between the lush green leaves and the antiquated scientific instrument whose function is not immediately accessible without being mentioned in the work’s title. It is named for its inventor, the German physicist and physician Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz (1821 – 1894) whose studies into the physics and physiology of perception were particularly influential for theories of visual perception, especially of color, and acoustics. The siren was part of his research into sound and shows the effects of pure tones produced simultaneously by pressurized air, including interference and combination tones. There is also an element of humor, to create a still life depicting a sound-producing object.