Giant singing sculpture comes to MediaCityUK

A giant steel sculpture that sings with the wind will be at MediaCityUK between Saturday, 22 October and Monday, 14 November as part of the Manchester Science Festival.

'Aeolus' is a large metal arch covered with over 300 stainless steel tubes and surrounded by a web of strings. It was created by the artist Luke Jerram with help from the Acoustics Research Centre at the University of Salford and the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton.

Shoppers and workers at MediaCityUK will be able to enjoy the mysterious musical sounds that change with the wind's direction and strength, and hear how the sculpture responds to the human voice. There will also be an accompanying exhibition in the foyer of the University’s MediaCityUK building.

Acoustics lecturer Dr Ian Drumm said: “Aeolus demonstrates the relationship between art and science, which will hopefully encourage further interest in the diverse discipline of acoustics.”

Luke Jerram said: “Creating Aeolus has been the most challenging and rewarding of all my artworks to date. It’s been amazing to have had the support of a great team to make Aeolus come into being.”

The sculpture has been funded through major grants from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Arts Council England.

For full Manchester Science Festival listings visit: www.manchestersciencefestival.com

For more information about the Aeolus project visit www.aeolus-outreach.com

Follow on twitter @mcrscifest and facebook.com/manchestersciencefestival

Aeolus, MediaCityUK, 22 October – 14 November, 10am - 5pm daily.