Apertura

The piece is formed from 1900 copper chimes, creating an evolving soundscape to celebrate the Hadrian’s Wall Festival and 1900 years of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made in collaboration with artist Ed Carter and academic / architect Tony Broomhead, the work highlights a visual fissure in the landscape – a missing section of Hadrian’s Wall, which was lost during the whinstone quarrying that continued until the 1970s. Inspired by the role of Hadrian’s Wall as a cultural meeting point, the piece reflects on Rudolph Arnheim’s comment that “openings mediate between the worlds separated by architectural barriers”, and encourages a dialogue around our shared experience of borders, boundaries, and thresholds. At the heart of the project is the ambition to engage with all audiences to open conversations about Hadrian’s Wall as an inspiring cultural bridge, rather than a historic geographical border. The pavilion comprises a Corten steel superstructure in an arrowhead arrangement with one side elevated to frame a view to the Wall beyond. The sensitivity of the location prevented any below ground structure, so surface level gabion cages were filled to provide anchor points for the frame. 1900 copper wind chimes are suspended below the structure to form a shimmering cloud of copper. Visitor quote: ‘We had a memorable visit to see Apertura at Walltown, with our newly arrived Ukrainian visitors, a young family and one of their friends. They have experienced traumatic and unwelcome changes in their lives, and face an unknown future. However, Apertura provided both space and calm. They were captivated by the music which really spoke to them. For this family, and for us their hosts, music transcended language and cultural barriers.’ Video documentation link: https://vimeo.com/751186209