Aliya Orr

Celeste is a musical vessel inspired by a drawing, the first recorded example of an automata from 12th century Mesopotamian polymath Ismail Al Jazari. The first programmable drum machine, onboard the original toy machine, four female puppets perform exaltations and engineered novelties. Reimagined in this work, a sonic and air powered installation, sonic transistors reverberate sound throughout the structure creating a vibrational healing field. 

The sculptural work is also host to a performance/ritual exploring breath, somatic and care based practices within the feminine experience. Custom built instruments were created through 3d ceramic printing using solar data, horns with which performers sound and listen. Vocal droning and vibrational healing frequencies, are explored in relation to the histories of music within the Islamic Sufi traditions and Qiyana, female performers highly skilled in poetic and musical arts.

‘Night Journey’, Performance. 12 minutes. Royal College Of Art Degree Show. 2023