Pendulums

As part of an ongoing series revisiting major works from its collection, the National Gallery presents Finnbogi Pétursson’s site-specific installation, Pendulums. Not seen since its 1993 debut in the exhibition Borealis 6, the work features three loudspeakers suspended from the ceiling by long pipes containing electrical cords. As the speakers swing directly over floor-mounted microphones, they generate a live acoustic feedback loop.

The artist likens this loop to parallel mirrors reflecting each other, creating the illusion of infinite regress. Emitting a low-frequency, repetitive drone reminiscent of industrial machinery, the three pendulums drift in and out of sync with one another, causing the auditory intervals to constantly shift and realign. Echoing the repetition and incremental variation of minimalist composition, Pétursson’s self-described "sound drawings" turn calculated randomness into an immersive sensory experience, leaving the raw mechanics completely exposed.