L’arpa, dal Congo a Chicago

culture and society

Exhibits

L’arpa, dal Congo a Chicago

Museo dell'Arpa Victor Salvi

from 18.02.2008 to 31.12.2008

The harp was born with the history of mankind, it has been handled by thousands of popular musicians and street artists, ending up as top attraction in many salons all over the world. Going through the history of this instrument means starting a journey in space and time. The first news about the harp existence date back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Still nowadays African harps keep the shape of those ancient instruments, creating a bridge between our time and that of ancient civilizations. The new biennal installation at Museo dell’Arpa Victor Salvi (Victor Salvi Harp Museum) allows a charming insight into the millenary tradition and extraordinary sound universe of the harp. The exhibition, organized by Anna Pasetti and based on the project by the French architect Didier Blin, presents 50 wonderful specimen from Asia, Africa, America and Europe. A first section displays 10 African harps. Among these, 5 are actually musical instruments and 5 are real sculptures, where the musical object becomes support to a work of art. 2 Burmese harps, a small harp from the region of the Golden Triangle and a very rare harp from the Philippines make up the second section, dedicated to Asian harps. A third area is reserved to South America, while a selection of 13 popular harps representing folk tradition, or “refined” music trying to imitate popular music, make up the European – USA section. 10 simple pedal movement harps, dating back to the second half of ‘700 and early’800, followed by 8 double pedal movement harps cover the XIX century up to the beginning of the XX century and illustrate the “educated” tradition of this instrument. There is also a harp-shaped cover made by Lyon & Healy craftsmen from Chicago in occasion of the 1893 World Exposition: a furniture jewel which pays tribute to a music jewel.

www.museodellarpavictorsalvi.it

L’arpa, dal Congo a Chicago