Aeolus Acoustic Wind Pavilion
The Aeolus Acoustic Wind Pavilion is a musical installation artwork created by Luke Jerram. It is a large aeolian harp that was inspired by Jerram's time in Iran. The installation toured England from 2011 to 2012, appearing at Lyme Park, the Eden Project, MediaCityUK and Canary Wharf.
Origins
The pavilion was created by Luke Jerram, an artist from Bristol, with help from Tim Waters, Ian Drumm and the Arup Group. Funding was provided by Arts Council England, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Outokumpu.The installation is named after Aeolus, the Ancient Greek ruler of the winds. Jerram first conceptualized the installation in 2007 during a spell in Yazd, Iran. While speaking with a well-digger working on a qanat, the digger mentioned that the qanat would sometimes make sounds at times when there was wind. This inspired Jerram to create a piece of architecture that "would resonate and sing with the wind".
Design
Aeolus is an aeolian harp, a stringed instrument that produces music using the wind. Nylon strings are stretched along the tubes, which amplify the strings' sounds. During times that there is no wind, tubes with no strings play low tones in the aeolian mode. The sounds Aeolus produces have been likened to the minimalist music of Steve Reich.The installation's design takes cues from religious architecture, such as St. Peter's Basilica and the domes of mosques. Jerram used 310 polished stainless steel tubes to create the piece. The installation is tall and weighs around. Each tube measures in length.