NEON’s giant musical object recreates the sound of running horses at a roman cavalry fort

design studio NEON has completed ‘cavalry 360°’ — a vast site specific musical instrument in the english countryside. the device uses the force of the wind to recreate the sound of the roman cavalry troops who moved across the landscape 1,600 years ago. commissioned by the english heritage organization, the design brings history to life at chesters roman fort — the best-preserved roman cavalry fort in britain.

image © anthony chappel-ross

the artwork stands at 3.5 meters high and measures 12 meters across. NEON arranged the instrument in a circular form which creates an experience much like being in a room with a surround stereo system. as the device is powered by the wind, ‘the soundscape is constantly altering in direction and rhythm’. imaginary hooves are created by 32 wind turbines which power hundreds of beaters being flicked against a wooden block in a rhythmic fashion.

image © anthony chappel-ross

the sounds are altered as the direction and speed of the wind change. as the wind speed increases, the horse movements transition from a trot to a gallop. as the wind shifts directions, distinct wind catchers give the sense of the horses moving around the landscape. cavalry 360° opened to the public at chesters roman fort on 26th july 2017 and runs until 5th of november 2017.

image © anthony chappel-ross

image © lightly frozen

image © lightly frozen

image © lightly frozen

image © lightly frozen

image © lightly frozen

image © lightly frozen

image © lightly frozen