Skip to main content

Sight and Sound

ART IN ACTION Nick Cave’s work uses sound and motion. DON ARNOLD—WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

Meet Nick Cave. He is an artist. He plays with sound and motion motion JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE/PICTURE ALLIANCE—GETTY IMAGES movement (noun) The car was in motion on the highway. . He uses different materials material PAUL ARCHULETA/FILMMAGIC—GETTY IMAGES what something is made of (noun) She wore a dress of shiny material. in his work. Cave is best known for his Soundsuits. They can spark spark HERO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES to cause something to happen (verb) Samuel asked a question that sparked an interesting debate in history class. our imagination. Are you ready to use your imagination?

Step Inside

MIKE COPPOLA—GETTY IMAGES

A Soundsuit is a sculpture sculpture PAUL ZINKEN/PICTURE ALLIANCE—GETTY IMAGS a 3D work of art (noun) The Thinker is a famous sculpture by Rodin. you can wear. It looks and moves like a strange creature.

Listen

© NICK CAVE; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND JACK SHAINMAN GALLERY, NEW YORK

A Soundsuit makes noise when it moves. This one is made of twigs and wire. What sound do you think it will make?

Watch

MIKE COPPOLA—GETTY IMAGES

Dancers in Soundsuits move to a drumbeat. They waddle, shake, and shimmy. People stop and watch. They feel like they have stepped into a different world!

Play

DON ARNOLD—WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

What does it feel like to wear a Soundsuit? No one can see who you are. You might feel like someone else, or something else. Cave says wearing a Soundsuit makes him feel free.

Did You Know?

NICK CAVE; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND JACK SHAINMAN GALLERY, NEW YORK.

The Soundsuits are made from bits and pieces. Cave uses sequins, buttons, blankets, toys, and more. What objects do you see in this Soundsuit? What objects would you use to make a Soundsuit of your own?