"Shout for Joy! Exalt!"

I’ve just come from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio performed by Pacific Musicworks in the architecturally and acoustical grand St James Cathedral.     Before that we had dinner nearby at an old time 50s style restaurant with the friend who came with us.  Before that we had the grandsons for the afternoon as they got out early for christmas vacation today.   So we went to the Burke (cafe first, of course) so Nik could see the MASK which was the inspiration for the Seahawks logo and then walked over to the Henry Gallery, both at the UW, where the blip was taken.   I’ve mentioned Ann Hamilton’s show The common Sense before when we were there with Fiona,,,,, but this "field of Bullroarers" was not working then - it had to be reengineered.   These wooden pieces with the wings are programed to go up the poles and then slide down by gravity , modeled  (loosely ) after ancient pieces that were used to call long distances—-one is supposed to listen to the sounds they make (and a bit of wind if one is near. )  Caught the boys—they just sat and looked around and listened for quite a while.  There are blankets in the gallery one can wrap up in...  On the way out I asked them what did they think it was  about.   Their answers “I have NO idea”  and “NO clue”.  My friend is a docent and will give us a tour sometime which will be good! :-)   Now I have to get under the covers--will look at photos in the morning!"

There is a good link about bullroarers provided by Ernie at the bottom of the comments.  There are 2 ancient ones from the Burke collection in this show at the Henry.  Less than 8" long.