Carileon: A Duet With the Wind
Perched on a patio at the elegant Hotel Plaza Athénée in Pairs, a sonorous, new creation overlooks the Eiffel Tower from afar. Constructed of steel, aluminum, and resin, Sebastien Leon’s Carileon is a beautiful instrument that is somewhat of a hybrid between church bells and wind-chimes. A series of suspended aluminum tubes of various lengths and diameters each contain a wooden ball connected to a resin cylinder, which strike the tubes as the wind blows against the instrument. While Carileon’s tones chime gently and steadily in the wind, a musician can play the tubes melodically with felt mallets.
Sebastian Leon is an avid creator of new instruments, sound sculptures, and installations. The Carileon may be his most “traditional” instrument yet, comparatively to creations like Golden Horns and Lentophone. The 8-foot tall Carileon allows the musician to play and improvise with nature, under the constraints of the set pitches of the instrument. The video above shows the Carileon being played by experimental musician Loup Barrow.
Browse the prolific portfolio of Sebastian Leon on his website.
