Last updated at 11:07, Thursday, 09 June 2011

OVER 8,000 people enjoyed the sights and sounds of a unique music installation.

• Lakes Alive photographic competition - top prize £150 cash: Click here to find out how to enter

Visitors from across the country joined large numbers of locals over the weekend at the premiere of Harmonic Fields on Birkrigg Common, near Ulverston.

A total of 500 hand-crafted Aeolian wind instruments were installed by artist Pierre Sauvageot and his company Lieux Publics.

They included harmonic cellos, vibrating drums, bamboo whistles and flute trees.

The wind acted as musical conductor as it blew through the instruments to create a natural soundscape.

Audience reaction to the Lakes Alive event was hugely positive.

Kate Weekes, of Birmingham, tweeted she had visited the installation twice in two days and said it was “wonderful”.

Writing in the Lakes Alive comment book, Kim Farr, of Ulverston, said: “Fabulous!

“Wonderful to have such an innovative installation in Ulverston.”

Penny from Kendal wrote: “Amazing, wonderful. Well done for getting this to Cumbria.”

The Lakes Alive programme of events is created and directed by Kendal Arts International with Manchester International Arts.

Julie Tait, director of Kendal Arts International, said: “We’ve been really pleased with the number of people who have been up to see the installation, and the reactions we’ve been getting.

“Lakes Alive is all about bringing special outdoor events to Cumbria that will surprise and delight local people and visitors alike.

“Pierre Sauvageot’s has certainly achieved that. It’s been a real inspiration working with him and his team to bring Harmonic fields to Cumbria.”

Mr Sauvageot said: “Cumbria has been a wonderful place to bring Harmonic Fields, with beautiful views and plenty of wind to play our instruments.

“It has been fantastic that we’ve had such a large and enthusiastic audience. It has been a real pleasure watching the public walking around immersing themselves in the sounds of the instruments and the wind.”

First published at 13:06, Tuesday, 07 June 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk