Soundscapes

New Acoustic Vistas in Jerusalem

“Soundscapes” was presented at the Museum from July 2006 through October 2006 and reopened from April 2007 through October 2007. The first of its kind in the world, this musical installation integrated, music, design and technology with an archeological site creating a multi-sensory experience of sounds, shapes and movement. Visitors were invited to walk through the citadel’s courtyard amongst the notes of “Soundscapes”.
There are those that say that the Tower of David has its own sound, emanating from its stones, from its beauty, from its past. The sound changes with the light, time and seasons. Moreover, the original sound is mixed with that of the surroundings - the bells of the churches, the calls from the mosques and the voices of the market. During the exhibition, however, the sounds that emanated from the walls of the Tower of David reinvented themselves again with new acoustic dimensions that changed from day to day … hour to hour.
	Thirty outsized, extraordinary musical instruments were set up throughout the citadel’s courtyard - in the water cistern, amid the archeological finds, beneath the arrow slits of the turreted walls. They appeared as an integral part of the citadel.
	The instruments played their notes at different times producing a symphony which invited the guest to tour among them and enjoy this unique concert and original composition.
	Mechanical arms plucked the harp, beat the percussion instruments, played the drums and rung the bells and created a visual connection between the sound and the action of the instrument.

The installation was produced by designers Yaal Tevet and Roy Roth, who specialize in space creations in the spirit of Experience Design. The Roth-Tevet Design Studio was established in 2002 after the two had worked together on a number of projects in 1997 while studying at Bezalel. Today, their studio is considered to be one of the leaders in interior design in Israel.
The music for the installation was composed by Didi Fire. Fire developed a special program for music that integrates the artist’s decisions and the logic system of the computer. The resulting compositions are a combination of the composer's personal inspirations and the logic of the computer. Fire studied music and music technology in The Hague, Holland. He has added African music from Ghana and has appeared in a number of countries. In Israel, his music was played by the 21st Century Ensemble at the Tel Aviv Museum.
The installation is highlighted by special lighting effects that brilliantly mirror the sounds and illuminate the citadel at night.
Curators: Renee Sivan - Liat Margalit Design: ROTH // TEVET > INTERIOR DESIGN Music: Didi Fire, in collaboration with Binya Reches

The Tower of David Museum is deeply grateful to Dame Vivien Duffield and the Clore Israel Foundation for the generous donation given to the exhibition. The Clore Israel Foundation has supported the Museum since its founding. We are also grateful to The Jerusalem Foundation, to the Meitav Group and to the Israel Lottery Council for Arts.
more about past exhibitions

The Citadel | Permanent Exhibition