Jurassic
music along the coast of Dorset ... the wind chimes across the cliffs from 180
million years ago ... another 2012 Cultural Olympiad Festival installation ...
 |
| Instruments across Dorset's rolling hills |
More
than 500 instruments were set up by the French composer Pierre Sauvageot, to be
played by the wind ... the one mile stretch of Harmonic Fields overlooked the
Olympic sailing course of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour.
 |
| A musical walk through a pergola |
The
instruments were suspended on posts along the coastal path in Dorset, in six
different locations ... as Mr Sauvageot said “The Dorset Coast is a wonderful
place to bring Harmonic Fields – its rolling hills and wide seascape the
perfect place for the audience to immerse themselves in their sounds ....”
 |
| Portland Harbour - the Olympic's sailing venue - the Clubhouse is on the far left |
The audience could sit and listen, walk slowly
along the cliff path, or occasionally stop and put a hat on – a musical
instrument to hear the sound - as wind flows create these incredible free sounds
of nature.
The 500
instruments were set out in the form of six music movements at the different
locations:
- on the landscape
- at the seaside
- along the cliff top
- down into the valley
- on the dunes
- finishing in the disused Bowers quarry
·
 |
| Cliff top seascape |
The
event was only staged for six days ... and I’ve only just read about it, while
researching something else to post ... but this one steals the show.
Quite
extraordinary I thought – and now what else have I missed from the Cultural
Olympiad this summer?! But I know many
of you will be interested to read about them ... and I’ve linked the BBC sites
below, also other YouTube links for overseas readers ...
Enjoy
....
BBC
News – Dorset: Harmonic Fields article
BBC
News – Dorset: video here is 1.43 minslong (possibly only UK viewers)
You
Tube: A walk through wind power from the Jurassic Coast – video 25 mins ... here you get the accompanying seagulls!
YouTube:
Harmonic Fields - 3.49 mins
Hilary
Melton-Butcher
Positive
Letters Inspirational Stories
25 comments:
What a wonderful event to attend! Charming and original.
Wow! That video is excellent - what an eerie experience. I had not heard of it at all Hilary. Thanks for telling us about it. beats the wind howling down the chimney! :-)
I would have liked to have seen that! - 'Er heard that too.
How original! Too bad you couldn't be there to hear it.
Oh oh oh! What a great idea! Wish I could have seen it.
@ Karen .. I wish I'd known - but it's 3 hours away .. though I'm glad I've found out about and am able to post and include snippets via YouTube et al ..
@ Deboarah - well honestly nor had I heard about it .. I was looking for something else and thought 'can't leave this off the blog' ... it's an extraordinary musical expose - just brilliant so - pleased you enjoyed it and definitely better than the wind howling down the chimney ... that's a comin' ...
@ Holly - well me too ..
@ Alex - totally original ... and I'd have loved to have the chance to visit ..
@ Morning AJ - like me, like you .. at least I found it I suppose - so should it occur again on these shores we can make sure we get to it ..
Thanks everyone - thought you'd enjoy it .. cheers Hilary
Oh I have a small musical exhibition as part of the cultural olympiad just outside where I work!! This artist rigged up the wall of a park and as people walk by, they set off music - and sounds - so depending how fast or slow you walk by your movement will set off music!! It's fun!!
Take care
x
What an amazing sight. I would love to hear and see such a thing.
You are right (and thank you for alerting me of this post, for I am way, way behind), that England has been a particular treasure-trove this year. This is truly an amazing example!
Wow, this must have been something to hear and see. Sounds amazing! Perhaps if it returns sometime you will get to see it.
Have a lovely weekend,
Karen
@ Old Kitty - how wonderful ... and fascinating as you can spend time listening .. and hearing others make the sounds as they move around. What a great idea .. clever chap ... I expect you've seen the one at Kings Cross?
@ Medeia - I would love to have got there ..
@ Susan - you're right there .. that Britain has been a treasure-trove this year of ideas, creativity etc
@ Karen - if it returns I'd love to get to see it ..
Thanks everyone - you too have lovely Fridays and weekends .. cheers Hilary
What an amazing event! I'm sure the audience had a whirlwind of a time! Julie
Wow, I wanna be there so much! What a great event this is. I'm sure the people lucky enough to attend this had a fantastic time.
TheBestofChimes.com
That sounds positively delightful. What a shame it wasn't open for longer, it sounds like it was great fun.
cheers
Sue
Extraordinary indeed.
That must have been wonderful to visit.
@ Julie .. on days I'm sure it was a whirlwind of a time - lots of wind along that coastline of the English Channel!
@ Edith - looks like it was a very interesting cultural event.
@ Sue - I'd have loved to visited .. and certainly if it came back somewhere it'd be fun to go and listen ..
@ Laurita - as you say: extraordinary ..
@ Golden Eagle - wish I had, but am pleased I've seen it and can at least post about it.
Cheers everyone .. Hilary
This is so inspiring! I can imagine walking along those cliff tops, picking up ethereal sounds and humming to myself, 'the answer my friend, is blowing in the wind . . . '
Hi Juliet - Dylan's song is so appropriate here .. and yes this is so 'your venue' - it would be such a pleasure to join you in that walk ..
Cheers Hilary
What an interesting musical event. That certainly took some thought in planning it all out and executing it. Thanks for sharing about it.
Hi Susanne .. it just amused me -something most of us wouldn't think of doing! Glad you enjoyed it ..
Cheers Hilary
Thanks for sharing. New follower here.
Hi Siobhan .. glad you enjoyed the post and nice to meet you - cheers Hilary
How wonderful! This had to have been a fantastic six days. Thanks so much for all the pictures and descriptions, Hilary.
Hi Lee - I'd have loved to have visited .. but it just sounded so much fun - glad you enjoyed the post .. cheers Hilary
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