Owl Project and Ed Carter: FLOW
FLOW is a floating self powered structure based on a traditional ‘Shipmill’. A waterwheel will harness the power of the river Tyne. We are going to use this energy to power a number of electro-acoustic musical instruments that combine mechanical automation and digital technology to produce sounds that respond to the river.
Flow illustration Nicholas Kirk
Building on a long tradition of ancient 'water-organs', FLOW can be thought of as an organ in both the musical and biological sense: an instrument circulating and processing water from the river, analyzing it, and transforming it into energy and sound. It will combine a range of traditional and new technologies to monitor key environmental details, including water temperature, speed, salinity, and pollution. The piece will generate its own power, and use sustainably sourced materials throughout its construction.
Artists taking the lead, London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Arts Council England and London 2012 announced that artists' collective Owl Project, and north east based producer and musician Ed Carter as the north east winner of a £500,000 commission for Artists taking the lead, one of the major projects for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. 'Flow' was selected by an independent panel of artists and producers from the five projects shortlisted in August from a total of 83 regional entries. Flow is one of 12 commissions that will be realised across the UK over the next three years, each inspired by their location and celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There is one commission for each of the nine English regions and the nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Latest developments on the ~Flow blog here..
Project website www.flowmill.org
Follow ~Flow on twitter.com/#!/Flowmill
Links..
Ed Carter modular.org.uk
http://www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk/northeast
http://artscouncil.org.uk/news/owl-project-and-ed-carters-flow-wins-500000-london/
Flow illustration Nicholas Kirk
