1972
In his January 15, 1972, article for The National Observer, Lawrence Fuller documents one of Max Neuhaus’s most radical departures from traditional music: the "Water Whistle" series.
In a 1972 article, Lawrence Fuller documented the expansion of Max Neuhaus’s Water Whistle series across the United States. Fuller noted that major institutions like the Walker Art Center and the Corcoran Gallery sponsored these underwater sound events. The full article can be found at The National Observer.
Fuller describes how audiences would immerse themselves in swimming pools to hear sounds that were only audible underwater. Neuhaus used high-pressure water jets to trigger whistles, creating a sonic environment where sound was felt through the body as much as heard through the ears.
The article explains the "thrill" of the experience as a result of sound travelling five times faster in water than in air, removing the listener’s ability to localize the sound source and creating an immersive "wash" of frequency.