Federation Bells
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The Federation Bells is an installation comprising 39 upturned bells. Located in Birrarung Marr, Melbourne.
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Birrarung Marr
Melbourne, VIC
3000
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The Federation Bells is an immersive public sound sculpture located on the Middle Terrace of Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, Australia. The instrument is a harmonically unique kinetic art installation comprising 39 inverted bells located in a riverside park. The bells were designed by Anton Hasell and Neil McLachlan in collaboration with Swaney Draper Architects, and were unveiled to the public in 2001.
The instrument is essentially a computer-controlled carillon, with bells dispersed through a small field rather than confined to the traditional bell tower. The Federation Bells are distributed in a grid, and listeners are able to walk among the bells, inside the instrument. Some have likened it to walking in a small musical forest. The bells are played via the sequenced control of highly dynamic metronomic hammers designed to mimic human touch.
Acclaimed composers from across the world have created hundreds of electronic compositions for the Federation Bells, and a selection of these can be heard in an evolving weekly schedule from 8-9am, 12.30-1.30pm and 5pm-6pm daily.