Feature: ~Flow
By Adam Clery on March 26, 2012 in Art & Design
The River Tyne is many things. A river, for starters, an unwalkable divide between the twin monarchies of Newcastle and Gateshead, an endless barrel of inspiration and metaphor for Jimmy Naill, a home to several species of fish and fish-like Asda trollies, and now, believe it or not, it’s also a musical instrument.
You heard.
As part of the Cultural Olympiad, the same initiative that recently brought us that amazing rainbow over Whitley Bay at the beginning of the month, Owl Project and Ed Carter have teamed up to bring this floating musical artwork to the banks of the river.
Powered entirely by a giant, specially built water wheel, the electro-acoustic machinery measures current, flow, salinity, and every other changeable element of the water environment to produce both data and sound for the exhibition. There’s a bubble synth, and a box that makes thunder, it’s like going canal boating for Dr Seuss’ stag-do.
There’s also a whole host of special events planned to coincide with the exhibition, with artists from the likes of Field Music, to Seb Rochford as well as BBC’s Frozen Planet sound expert Chris Watson, all showcasing a range of ideas which have been inspired by ~Flow. There’s also the customary guided tours, talks, and workshops for the more considered floating-art-music-science fans amongst you.
Specially commissioned, and free to all visitors, ~Flow will stay on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside throughout the summer as part of Artists taking the lead, one of twelve public art commissions funded by the UK Arts Councils and celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
~Flow opens its doors to the public this Sunday (25th) from 11am, and then runs every Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 – 17:00, until September 30th. More details on the website.
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Feature: Flow (@Flowmill) a floating, science based, live-in musical instrument, just across from @balticmill | http://t.co/gURJJPoB
Feature: Flow (@Flowmill) a floating, science based, live-in musical instrument, just across from @balticmill | http://t.co/gURJJPoB
Feature: Flow (@Flowmill) a floating, science based, live-in musical instrument, just across from @balticmill | http://t.co/gURJJPoB
Enjoyed filming this one “@kyeotv: @Flowmill a floating, science based,musical instrument just across from @balticmill http://t.co/99BoQdky”
Feature: Flow (@Flowmill) a floating, science based, live-in musical instrument, just across from @balticmill | http://t.co/gURJJPoB
A floating, self-sufficient, live-in musical instrument on the River Tyne. Or @Flowmill, to me and you http://t.co/Ahk0YlEZ
Feature: Flow (@Flowmill) a floating, science based, live-in musical instrument, just across from @balticmill | http://t.co/gURJJPoB