Brunswick Public Art and supporters of public art were set to celebrate the installation of The River’s Voice from 3-4:30 p.m. Friday at the downtown Brunswick Mall.  The River’s Voice is a colorful, interactive musical sculpture created by sculptor Andreas von Huene of Arrowsic.  It is meant to be enjoyed for its physical presence and played as a musical instrument.

Over four years in the making, the $55,000 project came together thanks to 50 donors including businesses and individuals, as well as grants.

Installed two weeks ago, The River’s Voice consists of 12 painted steel disks, spanning three octaves, mounted on a sculptured Jonesboro Red granite base.  It can be played with rubber mallets and other non-metallic implements.  The disks are made of carbon steel and powder-coated for durability.

This sculpture was created at von Huene’s Arrowsic studio and assembled on site.  It weighs about 5,500 pounds.  It rests on a prepared foundation of crushed rock wrapped in geotextile fabric, to inhibit water penetration of the foundation, covered with a layer of stone dust to ameliorate wear and tear of the site under heavy foot traffic.  It is a permanent installation.