Sound of Etna Pavilion
Sounds of Etna
Project patented through A.BRE.MAR.s.r.l
Sounds of Etna is a sensorial pavilion and acoustic installation that makes the inaudible voice of Mount Etna perceivable through infrasound resonance. Etna is among the few volcanoes known for emitting a broad spectrum of infrasounds — even in the absence of visible volcanic activity. By studying its resonant phenomena and applying specifically designed acoustic formulas, the project transforms seismic data into a physical, spatial experience. Excavated into the ground of Mount Etna itself, the space is constructed from metal sheets precisely tuned to resonate at the volcano’s own frequency. These sheets act as vocal strings, while the spatial cavity becomes a resonating throat — allowing Etna to quite literally sing. Developed in collaboration with the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) in Catania and using infrasonic data from both INGV, the project merges geophysical science with architectural design and sound engineering. The result is a site-specific, immersive experience where volcanic voice becomes a medium of deep ecological connection.
"Stepping down,
black sight and silent body.
Skin expands, ears stretch,
infrasounds hap.
Glimmering lights bounce,
vibrating cold on shoulders,
roaring earth"