FLOW is an environmentally sustainable floating water-wheel, millhouse and interactive artspace for the River Tyne.
Entering the FLOW millhouse will be akin to entering a new form of Steampunk workshop, with wood and water replacing metal and steam. Rather than hissing, steaming and sweating, the FLOW workshop will creak, groan, and bubble. It will encompass a range of new Owl Project instruments responding to environmental details, such as water temperature and speed, pollution and salinity.
Powered by the tidal river and manipulated by the audience, FLOW is in effect a musical instrument that processes water into energy, information and sound. The piece will generate its own power, and use sustainably-sourced materials throughout its construction. The project will highlight the importance of the waterways and their industry to the region.
See the shortlisted entries for this region and read about the judging panel
Owl Project is a collaborative group of Manchester based artists who share interests in human interaction with technology and process led art. The group currently consists of Simon Blackmore, Antony Hall and Steve Symons. Over the last few years they have become known for a distinctive range of wooden musical and sculptural instruments that critique human interaction with computer interfaces and our increasing appetite for new and often disposable technologies.
Ed Carter is a musician as well as a curator and producer, and will be acting as producer for FLOW. Ed has managed a range of projects with a focus on digital, media, audio and public art, and releases music under the name Winter North Atlantic. He relocated to the north east in 2008.