Aeolus - Acoustic Wind Pavillion

Aeolus - ruler of the four winds in Greek mythology.

An investigation into acoustics, wind, architecture and light, Aeolus was inspired by Luke Jerram's research trip to Iran where he explored the mosques of Esfahan and interviewed a Qanat desert well digger about his life. The well digger spoke of the wells singing in the wind.

Aeolus is a new architectural space designed for the public to contemplate the UK landscape; to make audible the silent shifting patterns of the wind and to visually amplify the ever changing sky.

Upon entering the artwork.

Entering the building is like going inside a giant bee's head. A viewer can look out through a field of 1000 internally polished stainless steel tubes simultaneously, each of which draws the landscape of light into the building whilst humming at a series of low frequencies. These light pipes act to frame, invert and magnify the landscape around the building enabling the viewer to contemplate an ever changing landscape of light. As the clouds and sun move across the sky throughout the day, the visual experience for the public will dramatically alter minute by minute, hour by hour.

Listening to the landscape of wind.

Aeolus is designed to resonate and sing with the wind without any electrical power or amplification. With a major grant from EPRSC and the support of the acoustic engineering departments at the University of Southampton (ISVR) and University of Salford, a number of engineering options have been explored that make the movement of wind audible. Mapping the shifting landscape of wind around the building, the acoustics change as the wind alters its direction and strength.

Once completed, the temporary building will tour the windy hill tops of the UK, before being installed as permanent artwork, somewhere in the UK. Unlike the prototype (see images above) the final artwork will have a steel internal structure that can be quickly assembled and disassembled on site. The tubes will then slot into this underlying framework.

Aeolus will sonify the three dimensional landscape of wind, using a web of Aeolian harps. Almost like cats' whiskers sensitive to the slightest touch, the stings register the shifting landscape of wind around the building and will be heard by visitors inside the space. The public will be able to visualise this shifting wind map by interpreting the sound around them.

Latest filmed test.

Educational Outreach

An indoor exhibition and extensive programme of creative engineering workshops are also planned to follow the artwork. See this Pdf of DIY Toolkit made for schools, created through educational workshops carried out so far.

Documenting the Development

Many of Luke's projects are initially developed using materials found around the home, this way he gets to explore the phenomenon and technology before spending thousands of pounds on production. These films reveal his experimental process:

Principle Partners

Statements of Endorsement

“Building on Jerram’s exploration of human perception Aeolus promises to do what art does best, which is to re-sensitise us to life by amplifying elements of everyday experience. Aeolus brings together contemporary engineering and art to address our relationship to the natural environment, making it a timely and worthwhile new work.” Emma Ridgway, Senior Curator, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce

"Aeolus reunites the trinity of art, science and nature into a major work for the delight and deeper understanding of many." Ian Ritchie Festival Director

"Luke Jerram's work embracing art, science and the natural world is always dramatic and serenely beautiful. Aeolus will excite everyone who sees and hears it and especially those who have the ultimate joy of standing inside it." Jerry Cowhig, Institute of Physics Publishing.

Installations