Sharon Ruston is professor in Nineteenth Century Literature and Culture
at the University of Salford. Her research interests are in the
relations between the literature, science and medicine of the Romantic
period, 1780-1820. In this podcast, Sharon speaks with us about the
influence of the Aeolian harp on Romantic poets and their work.

Sharon Ruston Biography:
Sharon Ruston joined the University of Salford as Chair of Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture in January 2009. She is authorof Shelley and Vitality (2005), Romanticism: An Introduction (2007), editor of Essays and Studies: Literature and Science (2008), and co-editor of Teaching Romanticism (2010). She has published a number of articles and essays on the interrelationships between Romantic-period
literature, science and medicine.

The Aeolian Harp and its Influence on Romantic Poets

This podcast features Luke Jerram, artist and research fellow at the University of Southampton. We spoke with Jerram over Skype about his latest project, Aeolus, a unique sound sculpture. 

Aeolus is an acoustic and optical pavilion 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. Aeolus is designed to resonate and sing with the wind without any electrical power or amplification. 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 strings register the shifting landscape of wind around the artwork.  Aeolus has been made possible with major grants from the EPRSC, (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) the Arts Council of England and Outokumpu have provided stainless steel.

About Luke Jerram
By “poetically fusing science, technology and perception” Luke Jerram creates highly engaging installations, live art projects and sculptures. Jerram has an international reputation for this multidisciplinary practice, having created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the world.
www.lukejerram.com
 

Aeolus - Acoustic Wind Pavilion Interview with artist Luke Jerram

Hear what Aeolus sounds like! This recording was made on a breezy afternoon at the Eden Project!

Aeolus - Acoustic Wind Pavilion at Eden Project

This recording was made by placing two mini DPA mics inside the tubes of Aeolus, a giant Aeolian Harp designed by artist Luke Jerram. Best heard through headphones. Sounds of the tubes resonating along with Aeolian sounds of the strings can be heard among the soundscape of Salford Quays

Sounds created by Aeolus on Salford Quays

Sound Around You is an innovative soundscape research project using mobile technologies. In this podcast, project leader and acoustics researcher, Charlie Mydlarz discusses the techniques and research involved. www.soundaroundyou.com 

Sound Around You, Soundscape Research with Mobile Technologies

In this podcast, Dr. Penelope Gouk discusses the role music plays in the development of science. Gouk is a historian based at the University of Manchester. Her research investigates how and why Western medical explanations for music's effects changed between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Building on her previous research into musical healing and the use of musical models in medical and scientific thought, this project explores how changes in musical practice fundamentally transformed early modern understandings of the human body and psyche.You can read more about Penelope's research in her book, Music, Science and Natural Magic in Seventeenth Century England

Music and its Role in the Development of Acoustic Science

ohn Rooney is a lecturer at the University of Salford, lecturing to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the school of Art and Design. Before this he ran a graphic design consultancy in Manchester with clients from across the national and 
In this podcast, designer and typographer John Rooney describes his latest work, in which he collaborates with Acoustics researchers on exploring typography and the creative gesture through sound. Rooney is currently undertaking a PhD, the content of the project will posit a question of how to visualise the creative gesture of a place. In 2010 John set up a new national typographic research initiative in conjunction with Birmingham City University, and is also coordinating the Salford University presentation of a forthcoming typographic exhibition to be presented early 2012 in Media City.

Please see John's website for more on his work  http://www.johnrooney.co.uk

Sounding Out Aeolus

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