PADDINGTON.- Two nine foot installations that infinitely regenerate an acoustic field, or ‘sound mirrors’, are currently on display at UNSW Galleries in Paddington, as part of the 5th annual exhibition of the John Fries Award.

Mirrors, submitted by Sydney-based visual artist and musician Tim Bruniges, was announced as a highly commended entry amongst 23 finalists at the opening event earlier this week.

The installation comprises of two opposing concrete structures with parabolic curves that focus and reverberate sound. Employing speakers and microphones, an infinitely regenerating sonic field is created, constantly absorbing the ambient sound of the environment and circulating it through the work in loops and an endless system of feedback.

Bruniges based his work on similar structures built by the British military that were used as early warning systems by detecting the sounds of oncoming enemy aircraft. They were among some of the most advanced apparatus of surveillance before radars were developed in the 1930s. Some of these structures still remain along a coastline in Denge near Dungeness in Kent.

He says this latest piece builds on themes often explored in his work.

“Most of my practice centres on exploring notions of regeneration and the tenuous notion of reliability of information as it is propagated from one form to another,” he said.

“In Mirrors, sonic and visual information is infinitely transmitted, reinterpreted and restored. It’s about the inevitable corruptibility of information and pondering the integrity of archive,” he said.

Bruniges has exhibited works nationally and in the USA, Germany, France, Iceland and Russia.

The works of all 23 finalists for this year’s award are being exhibited at the John Fries Award’s venue partner UNSW Galleries in Paddington, Sydney from now until 6 September.

The award was established by the Fries family in memory of Viscopy Board Director John Fries, who made a remarkable contribution to the life and success of the organisation.

Melbourne artist Bridie Lunney won the 2014 John Fries Award for her sculptural-performance work, This Endless Becoming, giving her $10,000 to support her next artistic endeavour.