Launching at Lyme Park this Saturday, 'Aeolus' will be touring the UK this summer.

Aeolus – Acoustic Wind Pavilion has been created by artist Luke Jerram, who’s Sky Orchestra was launched in London earlier this month as part of preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.

“Aeolus was the ruler of the four winds in Greek mythology” says Luke. “My sculpture was inspired by a trip to Iran where I met a Qanat desert well digger. He spoke of ‘the wells singing in the wind’, so I decided to explore acoustics, wind and architecture – and created Aeolus”.

From a distance, Aeolus will appear as an imposing shining arch supporting over three hundred stainless steel tubes. Standing below the arch, the mirror-lined tubes will draw in imagery from the landscape, distorting and replicating the surrounding environment.

When the wind blows and the sun moves across the sky, these movements will be experienced anew through Aeolus both visually and audibly, as the sculpture will produce a beautiful and mysterious sound. With its web of nylon strings, Aeolus will function as a giant Aeolian wind harp.

Georgina Ferguson, visitor experience manager at Lyme Park, is looking forward to Aeolus’s arrival.

“The wind sculpture will be on the West Terrace here at Lyme” says Georgina. “It’s the first time we’ve ever had anything like this in the garden, and we’re very excited. We hope lots of people will come to enjoy listening to and looking at Aeolus – it will be amazing!”

In designing Aeolus, Luke Jerram collaborated with acoustic specialists Tim Waters from ISVR (Institute of Sound and Vibration Research) at Southampton University and Ian Drumm from Salford University. Funding for Aeolus is from the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and ACE (Arts Council England).

The Aeolus project is sponsored by Outokumpu, which has provided some of the stainless steel. Alison Kinna, Head of UK Sales Company said: “Outokumpu Stainless Distribution is pleased to be working with Luke on the Aeolus project, which will showcase both the aesthetic and durable qualities of stainless steel to such a wide audience”.

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

Aeolus is also pioneering in terms of art-science collaborations. Designed to excite the public about engineering and acoustics, art and architecture, the associated Aeolus Outreach Programme seeks to inspire curiosity and wonder about the science of sound, furthering interest in this diverse discipline through the exploration of this otherworldly work of art.

You can see Aeolus in the garden at Lyme Park daily, from 6 – 20 August, 11am – 5pm.

Aeolus is also touring other UK venues and offers a programme of ambitious, hands-on public engagement activities for all ages and all levels of knowledge.

For details, go to www.aeolus.org.uk.