The catalyst for Vortex is the unique and surprisingly beautiful sound produced by a vortex cannon, created by physicist, inventor and BBC science presenter Jem Stansfield.  The four metre long steel vortex cannon when fired vertically produces a vortex ring which shoots thousands of feet into the sky at very high speed - tracing a path to the edge of our breathable atmosphere.

In collaboration with composer Yannis Kyriakides, contemporary music ensemble musikFabrik, Jem Stansfield and the University of Huddersfield, IOU is creating Vortex - a music and sound project which continues the theme of natural forces and phenomena developed from IOU's Artistic Director David Wheeler's time in Antarctica.

Yannis Kyriakides will create three distinct musical elements:  a composed piece for musikFabrik to present in concert halls,  a soundscape for a sound installation and a structured improvisation piece to be performed within the soundscape installation - mixing with sound producing sculptures and live firings of the vortex cannon.The first presentations of  Vortex are planned for Autumn 2012