Site 7. Chris Cree Brown (New Zealand)
Aeolian Harp (2002)
Archery Lawn, Christchurch Botanic Gardens
4th September - 30th November 2002

Aeolian Harp took its fundamental form from the traditional wind harp, an instrument that plays ethereal, random music as wind currents move over and vibrate its strings.

Chris Cree Brown, a composer and sound artist who has had an interest in this instrument for over twenty-five years, extended the wind harp's design to include vertical bridges and two sounding boards. The harp also had curved edges to avoid wind turbulence. The strings were normally tuned to the same pitch, but Cree Brown sometimes tuned them to several different sets of pitches. Thus the natural harmonic series was never constant as wind velocity created new tones, while others suddenly disappeared. The acoustic properties of Aeolian Harp were augmented further by the parabolic structure in which the harp was placed. This resonant chamber directed and channeled the prevailing winds to sound the instrument.

Curator: Jennifer Hay.