The New Windy City
The French poet Victor Hugo once wrote: “Music is a thinking noise”. For our part, we can now say that music is a talking wind! Involved in the project to make Marseilles the European Capital for Culture 2013, Pierre Sauvageot is proud to present his Symphony for Wind Turbine, which will take place from April 4th to 28th. Located on the outstanding site of Goudes, in the heart of The Calanques National Park, this symphony for 500 orchestral wind turbines will tempt anyone to come and discover new sonorities, far from the hectic noises of modern life. Facing the sea, the walkway is an invitation to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.
April shall be windy once again! Those who will muster the courage to push all the way on to Goudes shall discover a stunning landscape made up of copper trees and bizarre instruments which wacky design conjures up the memory of Don Quixote’s windmill. Do not panic! It is merely the new musical orchestra designed by Pierre Sauvageot, simply labeled: “Symphonic March for 500 Wind Turbines and Walking Public”. This dubious orchestra is arranged in a wide collection of baroque instruments of barbaric nature: harmonic cellos, vibrating drums, glockenspiel windmills, bamboo whistles, Bali scarecrows, rotating musical boxes, flute trees, sonic bows, rattle poles… I can promise you this is not the description of some horrible monster!
The symphony composer Pierre Sauvageot regards this installation as “the dumbest and simplest project I ever had”. The original idea surfaced during a trip to the Indonesian island of Bali, where farmers there use musical scarecrows which changes tunes according to the wind. But the conception of real wind instruments will turn out to be much more complicated. A first trial, described as “a disaster” by the composer, eventually managed to attract the public’s attention and convinced its makers to continue their efforts. The instruments are exclusively drawn and designed by artist Toni Casalonga, while the final orchestration and set up is supervised by choreographer Jani Jeremie. Since its first appearance in 2010 at Martigues (southern France), the wind symphony has known a growing success. A new tour has been set out, with at least 61 performances around Europe, including Austria, the Netherlands and Great Britain. This year, it comes back home on the Mediterranean shore, ready to offer its residents a welcoming break amid the stressing chaotic racket of daily life.
The watchers/ listeners are beckoned to walk freely around the place and to eavesdrop the windy speech. Listen to your emotions and allow yourself to be guided along by your hearing rather than by your sight, shifting through the alphabet of the many winds around the world. Beware however, this land is not empty, but watched over by a group of benevolent people: the Aeolians. Actors, gardeners, guides and monks, they are the shepherds guarding the peaceful surroundings of this strange flock. Do not forget this is an experience you can practice alone! Stay in harmony with nature!
The grounds will be open four days a week: from Thursday to Sunday. A special bus shuttle service is organized in order to help you reach to the site (see below), as visitors are encouraged to come without their cars. The goal here is to flee an intrusive lifestyle, not bring it with us! A major note: the grounds will be exceptionally open on Thursday April 25th for an evening concert under the full moon. Come and join us if you don’t fear werewolves! From 20:00 to 22:00, you shall enjoy a harmonic lullaby played by local musicians on the very instruments designed to commune with Mother Nature.
Organized by the association “Lieu Public”, which helps various artists promote their shows on the urban stage, the event is part of the Metamorphosis program devoted to transform the city of Marseilles in a live theater for street art. The program’s next performance shall take place in Saint Charles Station in September. In the meantime, answer the call and check out this amazing wind symphony in Goudes. No doubt these few moments of peace will help you face the challenges of tomorrow.
Q.R.
| To learn more : |
| Where : boulevard Delabre, Marseille 8e, exit toward Goudes (route de Callelongue) |
| When : from April 4th to 28th |
| Hours : from Thursday to Saturday : from 14:00 to 19:30on Sunday : from 10:30 to 17:00
on Thursday 25 avril : nocturne jusqu’à 22:30 |
| Access : bus 19 et 20 toward Callelongue, stop at Delabre PelapratNavette maritime RTM (Vieux Port – Pointe Rouge) |
| Rate : free of charge |
| Contact : 04 91 03 81 28 |
| Link: www.facebook.com/ParcNationalDesCalanquescommunication@lieuxpublics.com |
