Longplayer

Today I made a pilgrimage of sorts, to the home of an sound installation called Longplayer. Longplayer is a piece of music which is scored for singing bowls, and lasts for 1,000 years. It began with the Millennium and will play until its end. Most of the time it is played by computer, but live performances of part of the score have taken place on these beautiful bowls, which are displayed in a 19th century lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf in East London. Up in the top of the lighthouse is a listening post where the music combines with a wonderful view over the Thames to give an almost out- of -this world experience. You can hear Longplayer live on the website, or download the app, as I have done, to listen anywhere. Part of its appeal to me is the hope for the future, that technologies old or new will allow the music to continue long after we have gone.

I felt a similar sentiment when, quite by chance, I witnessed Luke Jerram’s artwork « Gaia » in Southwark Cathedral. So many people taking selfies with our beautiful planet. Who will be taking care of it in the year 2999?