Harmonic Tree
Begonia House
29 Sep - 11 Oct
About.
The Harmonic Tree is a new artwork / musical instrument resembling an exotic plant, with steel strings, percussive fruit and berries. Beneath the surface it houses an array of audio effects processors, all adjustable by tending to twigs, branches and other parts of the tree, enabling an operator to create electroacoustic soundscapes.
Aside from the electrical components, some tape and a few screws, The Harmonic Tree was built entirely out of discarded materials.
Special thanks to Joel Vinsen for advice on audio components, and to everyone who helped with the construction: Monique Tongue, Jen Eccles, Leda Farrow, Aimée Storm, Luke Scott, Jared Lewis, Stephanie Quennell, Mika Turnbull, and Harriet Trubshaw. Designed and co-built by Andrew Laking.
This work was made with support primarily from Wellington City Council’s Public Art Fund, with additional assistance from Creative New Zealand and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School Set & Props department (find them on Instagram here), and Mitre 10 Crofton Downs. Thanks also to Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā for hosting the work. It was originally intended for Lōemis festival in June 2020, however is appearing now, post lockdown!
Artists will be performing on the instrument daily (see schedule below).
Live Music Schedule.
Between September 29 - October 11, you can view the Harmonic Tree daily from 9am - 4pm and listen to prerecorded music created on the instrument.
Musicians perform live on the Tree daily from 10.30am - 11.30am and 12.30pm - 1.30pm. Entry to these sessions is free and you can drop in any time.
There are also two feature concert events on Friday 2nd and Friday 9th of October at 7.30pm – capacity is limited and registration is essential for these events. See below for details and click on the buttons to register.
Entry is Free.
Tue 29 Sept
10.30 - 11.30am: Joel Vinsen
12.30 - 1.30pm: Joel Vinsen
6pm - 7pm: Opening (RSVP here)
Wed 30 Sept
10.30 - 11.30am: Joel Vinsen
12.30 - 1.30pm: Joel Vinsen
Thu 1st Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Joel Vinsen
12.30 - 1.30pm: Joel Vinsen
Fri 2nd Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Joel Vinsen
12.30 - 1.30pm: Joel Vinsen
7.30 - 8.30pm: Feature event with Joel Vinsen, Blair Latham and Isaac Smith. Entry is Free, Registrations essential, click below to reserve a spot.
Sat 3rd Oct
10.30 - 11.30am. Tyson Smith
12.30 - 1.30pm. Tyson Smith
Sun 4th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am. Tyson Smith
12.30 - 1.30pm. Tyson Smith
Mon 5th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Andrew Laking
12.30 - 1.30pm: Andrew Laking
Tue 6th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Andrew Laking
12.30 - 1.30pm: Andrew Laking
Wed 7th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Recordings
12.30 - 1.30pm: Recordings
Thu 8th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Daniel Beban
12.30 - 1.30pm: Johnny Marks
Fri 9th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am. Justin Firefly.
12.30 - 1.30pm. Justin Firefly.
7.30 - 8.30pm: Feature event with Justin Firefly and Dayle Jellyman, Registrations essential, click below to reserve a spot.
Sat 10th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Al Fraser
12.30 - 1.30pm: Al Fraser
Sun 11th Oct
10.30 - 11.30am: Al Fraser
12.30 - 1.30pm: Al Fraser
