HUMAN HARP 1 

Brooklyn Bridge, New York, USA 

Human Harp is a clip-on instrument that transforms suspension bridges into giant harps enabling participants to “play the bridge”.

Commission

Human Harp first occurred to Di in 2009 when she was a resident at the Eyebeam Art and Technology Center, in New York City. Scouting the city for new ideas, Di found herself standing on the Brooklyn Bridge over and over again. “There was something comforting about the bridge—its Alice in Wonderland scale.” Di sat down near one of the granite towers, pulled out a sketchpad, and began to draw the wooden promenade (like a xylophone) and the high-tension wire cables fanning overhead (like a harp) waiting to be played.

Film

The first Human Harp prototype was tested and filmed on the Brooklyn Bridge on its 130th Anniversary. The film was made in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London and Intel’s Creator’s Project. It starred performance artist Hollie Miller and was shot in collaboration with videographer Martin Noboa.  The film has since been screened at venues including the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Experience

Human Harp has continued to evolve through international collaborations with labs around the world. Led by Di, the Human Harp team explores ways to record, process and release the vibrations of suspension cables, enabling performers “play the bridge”. 

International Acclaim

Human Harp received global interest with articles in media such as Time Out, Observer, The New Yorker, Dezeen, Design Boom and The New York Times. 

tour

2019 Tower Bridge
2018 Northern Spire Bridge
2015 Clifton Suspension Bridge
2014 The Roundhouse residency
2013 Brooklyn Bridge

partners

Queen Mary University of London
Intel’s Creators Project

Full credits below

I feel like a bridge is a place where anybody can belong, somehow. It lifts you above and out of everything.

Di Mainstone
Artist

The harp looked beautiful intersecting with the steel cables of the bridge across the Manhattan skyline. I felt an intuitive connection to the harp straight away and instantly got lost in the exploration of the strings and movement.

Hollie Miller
Performance ARtist
CREDITS

Di Mainstone

Hollie Miller

Becky Stewart

Adam Stark

Anna Cassidy and Amanda McDonald Crowley

Dr Andrew McPherson, David Meckin, Professor Mark Plumbley, Laurel Smith Pardoe

David Blair Ross, John Nussey, and Lea Aubertin

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Di Mainstone ©Di Mainstone

Di is a multi-disciplinary artist and filmmaker whose work has been exhibited at Southbank Centre, The Barbican, the V&A, Sage Gateshead, The National Portrait Gallery & more.

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Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, London EC2A 3PQ