An Instrument Played by the Waves

Bay Curious

KQED

History, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.9 • 999 Ratings

🗓️ 21 November 2024

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Wave Organ is an environmental sculpture that goes below the surface of the bay to create a unique sonic experience for visitors. Listener Robbie Rock has been visiting The Wave Organ since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and came to Bay Curious looking to learn who built it, why and how. Reporter Ana De Almeida Amaral takes us on the sonic journey that ensues when the moon, tides, human creativity and San Francisco history collide. Additional Reading: San Francisco’s Wave Organ Brings Sounds of the Bay to Life Episode Transcript A Kid-Friendly Spotify Playlist of Bay Curious Favorites Bay Curious Book Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Ana De Almeida Amaral. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Ana De Almedia Amaral and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Holly Kernan and the whole KQED family.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, I'm Francesca Fenzie. It's okay if you don't recognize my voice. I'm one of lots of producers behind the content you hear on KQED.
0:07.9	And I'm here to invite you behind the scenes. When you join KQED's community on the Discord app, you get special access to conversations with our reporters, producers, and guest experts.
0:18.4	You can ask questions, share your thoughts, and chat with the people shaping the news.
0:22.8	Head to Discord.g.g slash KQED to join today or search for KQED on Discord.
0:31.5	From KQED.
0:34.3	During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we all had our little escapes, places away from the confines of our quarantined homes to get some fresh air and remind us that despite the distance, the rest of the world still exists.
0:52.0	After moving to San Francisco in 2020, Robbie Rock discovered his special spot, a public
0:58.0	art installation called The Wave Organ. It's at the very end of a jetty sitting out in the
1:04.6	bay, across the way from the Palace of Fine Arts. There's just a really cool place to sit,
1:10.0	watch the waves, and also to, like, hear the organ.
1:13.8	The wave organ is not like the massive trumpeting organs that you'll find in a church.
1:19.9	Its appearance and sounds are a bit less opulent.
1:23.5	But the organ still produces a pretty grand orchestra of gurgles, hisses, and booms.
1:48.9	But after all of his visits,
1:53.4	Robbie still never really knew what exactly he was listening to.
1:55.6	I just had so many questions about it.
1:56.8	Why is it there?
1:58.1	And how does it even work?
1:59.4	And, of course.
2:01.4	When is the best time to hear it?
2:05.1	I'm Olivia Allen Price.
2:10.7	This is Bay Curious, the podcast that answers your questions about the San Francisco Bay Area.
	...

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