Placed high in the tower of nearby St Mary’s Church, a wind harp senses the movement of the air through its open form. Output Arts’ new installation VOX translates the subtle vibrations of the harp strings into an immersive multi-sensory experience: light shifts and changes colour constantly with the movement of the air; sound, tuned to the specific acoustics of The Old Church, gives voice to the ancient building as it tells of the wind.
Subtle air currents and movements vibrate the strings of a wind harp. These vibrations are then translated into an installation of pure light and sound. The sound, tuned to the resonant frequencies of the building, activates the entire space: eddies and currents of sound within the church mean that the experience changes as the listener moves. The light gives visual form to the wind as a plane of pure colour that shifts and changes. The combination creates a powerful, multi-sensory experience through which the wind becomes a tangible presence in the church.
The title, VOX, refers to the church being place of song, prayer, and discourse, as well as the installation being tuned to the space itself, and giving voice to the wind.
VOX formed the centrepiece of BREATHE: a celebration of air – an Arts Council funded, multi-disciplinary arts festival running over three weeks at The Old Church in Stoke Newington, attended by around 2500 people.
Over the course of the festival, artists were invited to respond to the sound of the wind harp and the theme of the festival, "air". Output Arts supported many of these performances, including new works by: Bishi and Neil Kaczor, with visuals by Noriko Okaku; Ansuman Biswas, Helen Chadwick and Sam Lee; Michael Ormiston and Candida Valentino; Cando2 dance company.
Output Arts also hosted an "Open Mic Night" featuring a dozen eclectic performances by emerging and established artists, all working with the VOX sound installation.
You can read more about VOX on our blog and also watch a "making-of" video.
"The installation is wonderful. I dropped in yesterday out of the rain. Rather moving, the idea of the sound and light coming across from one church to another, but actually shaped by the wind."Andrew Nairne, Director, Kettle’s Yard
February 26, 2016 – March 20, 2016
BREATHE: a celebration of air
The Old Church, Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16
In partnership with
