The Glasshouse unveils new permanent visitor experience with free audio installation by BISHI
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has unveiled The Water of Tyne: Reimagined – a new free permanent audio installation by acclaimed artist and composer BISHI.
Launching on Wednesday 19 August, the specially commissioned work reimagines The Water of Tyne, one of the North East’s best-loved folk songs about two lovers separated by the river. BISHI’s contemporary three-part composition brings the song into the present day, blending Raag Durga, new music and field recordings captured in and around The Glasshouse. Inspired by different musical traditions and the building’s unique location on the banks of the River Tyne, it gives people a new way to experience a much-loved song.
Written, composed and produced by BISHI, the commission also features contributions from Brian Eno, Jennifer Reid, ILĀ, Ian Bruce and Genevieve Dawson, bringing together a range of artists and musical influences to create a piece that reflects both the North East’s rich musical heritage and the diverse influences shaping music today.
The installation unfolds across three locations on Level 1 of The Glasshouse. Each location reveals a different movement of the composition, inviting visitors to scan a QR code and listen as they explore the building. Visitors can pause to take in views across the River Tyne or move between each location at their own pace, discovering the installation in whichever way they choose.
The Water of Tyne: Reimagined is the first permanent addition to a new programme of free public experiences at The Glasshouse. Whether you’re visiting for a concert, stopping for a coffee, meeting friends or exploring the Quayside, there’s now another way to experience music at The Glasshouse.
BISHI is a British-Bengali artist, composer, producer and performer whose work explores the intersection of sound, heritage and innovation. Classically trained in both Western and Hindustani music, she is known for bringing together traditional music, contemporary composition and technology. Her work has been commissioned and performed internationally, and she has collaborated with artists including Brian Eno, Sean Ono Lennon and Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Rachel Williams, Head of Digital and Communications at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, said:
“The Glasshouse has always been a place where people come together through music, but we also want people to discover and enjoy the building itself. The Water of Tyne: Reimaginedis a permanent addition to The Glasshouse that celebrates our unique location while inviting people to experience music beyond the concert halls.
We wanted to create something that anyone can discover, whether they’re here for a performance, meeting friends for coffee or simply exploring the Quayside. BISHI has created a beautiful new interpretation of a song that means so much to the North East, while giving people a completely new way to experience both the music and our building.”
BISHI said:
“The Water of Tyne is one of those rare songs that feels completely timeless. It’s deeply rooted in the North East, but its themes of love, distance and belonging are universal. I wanted to honour that history while creating something that reflects my own musical journey, bringing together North East folk traditions, Hindustani classical music and the sounds of the River Tyne.
The Glasshouse and its incredible setting inspired me to create something immersive that people could discover in their own way. I hope visitors take a moment to pause, listen and experience both the music and the landscape differently, while feeling a deeper connection to this place and the stories it holds.”
The Water of Tyne: Reimagined adds a new free experience to the venue’s programme of free activities, events and gigs. It will remain a permanent feature of The Glasshouse, giving visitors a new reason to return throughout the year.
The Water of Tyne: Reimagined launches on Wednesday 19 August and is free to experience during The Glasshouse opening hours. Visitors simply need a smartphone and headphones to take part.
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