High on the moors at Crown Point above the East Lancashire town of Burnley stands this sculpture, The Singing Ringing Tree. It’s one of four such outdoor pieces which go under the collective name of The Panopticon, or being able to see all. Each piece is of a different design, the Singing Ringing Tree takes the shape of a wing blown tree, distorted by the constantly blowing, moorland winds. Additionally the lengths of tubing that go together to make the sculpture are tuned and as the wind passes over them a constant and ever changing series of notes are produced. It is an eerie experience to stand close by and hear the ever changing soundscape of fluting drones and tones increase and decrease in volume, produced as the winds change direction and intensity. My original image was a colour shot but there was something about the starkness of the location and the artwork that persuaded me that a black and white image would work best. If you have a chance the Singing Ringing Tree is one of the more unusual public artworks you will find.
The other three pieces are sited around other East Lancashire locations, collectively they represent the regeneration of a part of England’s north west which has suffered due to the decline of the traditional heavy industries. The locations are Atom at the village of Wycoller, Halo above the town of Haslingden and Colourfields which is built onto a former gun battery sited in the town’s Corporation Park. It is a summer project of mine to visit all of the sites to see what images I can produce from the artworks and their locations.
Tourist Information Panopticon Art Project
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Categories: Art, Design, England, Photography, travel, Uncategorized
Tags: Art, Black& white photography, Design, England, Lancashire, landscape, photography, travel
lachlansimages 
Excellent shot, and what a fantastic sculpture, I love this concept. Like an aeolian harp. Great place to hang out during a storm, and practice King Lear on the heath.
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Thanks for the comment Robert, it really is a fascinating sculpture. Even when you think there is no wind blowing it still manages to produce a sound. I would like to be there when the sun comes up, to catch the sounds as the daylight warms up the air and the breezes start. I wouldn’t like to be passing late at night though, some of the pipes produce a low discordant hum.
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