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Spirit of Nøkken

The River Harp is a sound sculpture comprising two large silver balls, one on either side of Drammenselva. The sculpture creates river music through variations in water flow and oscillations of the Ypsilon suspension bridge near the sculpture, which acts as a gigantic harp. Sensors capture footsteps crossing its hundred-yard span, and hidden computers relay them – mingled with river-sounds and the wind in the wires – to resonate inside two steel balls.

In the sphere one can see Fabbrikgata, part of the Høgskolen i Sørøst-Norge (University College in Southeastern Norway) and the lights of the Ypsilon Bridge over Drammen's River.

The 'music' blends with local voices singing to appease the legendary Nøkken, a shape-shifting water spirit. To women, Nøkken appears as a beautiful young man with a violin, enchanting them with sweet river music, drawing them ever closer until they fall in and drown.

River Harp
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24 comments

Edward Bowthorpe said:

Beautiful Amelia,,eddie,xx
6 years ago ( translate )

Boro said:

Superbe ******************
6 years ago ( translate )

Marie-claire Gallet said:

A fantastic creation, Amelia !!! Excellent capture !!!
6 years ago ( translate )

Rosalyn Hilborne said:

Good information and picture Amelia.
6 years ago ( translate )

Schussentäler said:

very good work
6 years ago

Doug Shepherd said:

An amazing sight Amelia, very well captured with such interesting notes. I vaguely remember visiting Drammen when I was about nine or ten years of age, early 1960's. At the time we were living in a place called, I think, Havlstad, to the south of Sandvika.

Have a good evning
6 years ago

Jean said:

That sounds fascinating and makes a beautiful image.
6 years ago

Keith Burton said:

Such an imaginative installation............it sounds absolutely fascinating. This shot of the sphere and the reflections is superb!
6 years ago

aNNa schramm said:

Wow - a great view - the world is a sphere
6 years ago

Ulrich John said:

Great work, Amelia !
6 years ago ( translate )

Boarischa Krautmo said:

good shot!
6 years ago

Nick Weall said:

This is the first time I've seen this image I believe and it is super. I remember your shots of the Ypsilon Bridge and its surroundings on Pano ~ This is a lovely night shot xx
6 years ago

Amelia replied to Nick Weall:

I didn't post this on Pan, Nick. It was so sad to leave Norway in 2012, that I couldn't bear looking at any of the photos for about a year after we got back to the UK. By then it all seemed a bit pointless posting anything on Panoramio. x x
6 years ago

Peter Castell said:

Wonderful night shot
6 years ago

Pam J said:

Absolutely incredible !
6 years ago ( translate )