Ebbed Tide, Millbrook Chapel of Rest, Cornwall, 2025
A site specific sound and embroidery installation set within the Chapel of Rest at Millbrook’s burial ground
In 2023 Harlow wrote a poetic novella titled Ebbed Tide, a historical fiction set across locations in Rame, London and Bermuda. The tidal, rhythmic nature of the ocean is reflected in the circular story, which goes back and forth in time. The novella considers the weaving of life, death and fate – exploring themes of synchronicity and spirituality. Read Ebbed Tide here.
This exhibition presented a new audio adaptation of Ebbed Tide made by Harlow. Featuring narration by actor, sound director (and Catholic Priest) Marc Powell, who also contributed to the score. Responsive harp interludes, composed and performed by Hannah Koegler, punctuate the narration. Field recordings of the natural environment, made at Rame by Harlow and Koegler, are interwoven into the soundscape. Recordings made by Harlow of her Aeolian Harp underscore the piece. The Aeolian Harp is an ancient instrument which is played solely by the wind, producing harmonic frequencies. Harlow’s Aeolian Harp is made of walnut wood which was reclaimed from an old Pennsylvanian church. The two hour sound work was edited by Harlow with assistance from Ben Vince, who also mixed and mastered it. The score samples ‘Call of the Wind Spirits’ by Almusic34 from Free Music Archive.
Ebbed Tide aired on Resonance FM during the exhibition dates. Listen to the full audio adaptation below.
Alongside this audio work Harlow presented a new site specific embroidery. The textile was made in response to architectural details within the Chapel of Rest and illustrates themes from the novella. The double sided, circular work titled A thread. A cord. A knot to connect. We weave our web of living and dead… features a multitude of hand beaded gemstones. Each bead was individually appliquéd by the artist over a year long period within an intentional ritual.
A programme of workshops and performance took place within the Chapel of Rest during the exhibition run.
Seabird Performance Event for Autumn Equinox Eclipse. Featuring : Byzantia Harlow reading Seabird, the first chapter of her novella Ebbed Tide; Hannah Koegler playing harp interludes she composed for the Ebbed Tide audio adaptation; the Halfway Harmony and Singsanders choirs singing songs realting to Ebbed Tide’s themes – including the Autumn Equinox.
Audio Excerpts of Seabird Performance Event which took place on Autumn Equinox Eclipse as part of Ebbed Tide :
‘Return’ sung by the Singsanders choir
Hannah Koegler playing live harp interlude she composed for Ebbed Tide audio adaptation
‘Minnadhu Breaks’ sung by the Halfway Harmony choir
‘Cornwall my Home’ sung by the Halfway Harmony choir (with accompanyment from the Singsanders choir)
‘Seabird’ sung by the Singsanders choir
Byzantia Harlow reading excerpt of Seabird, chapter one of Ebbed Tide
Byzantia Harlow reading excerpt of Seabird, chapter one of Ebbed Tide, with responsive harp by Hannah Koegler
Byzantia Harlow reading excerpt of Seabird, chapter one of Ebbed Tide, with responsive harp by Hannah Koegler
This project was funded by Arts Council England through a National Lottery Project Grant. Supported by Rame Projects, Maker Heights and the Rame Conservation Trust. Installation and performance photography by Megan Roberts. Exterior chapel photography by Dom Moore. Performance sound recorded and mastered by Ben Vince.