National Glass Centre

Laura Belém, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Laura Belém was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1974, where she still lives and works. She graduated from Central Saint Martin’s College with a Master of Fine Arts in 2000 and is currently a practising artist with huge international credibility. Her works range vastly in medium and often reflect deeply emotional responses to the natural world and our surrounding environment.

The Temple of a Thousand Bells, (2010) is an installation of 1,000 blown glass bells with an accompanying soundtrack inspired by an ancient legend about a temple which housed a thousand ringing bells that sank into the ocean and of a young sailor who sat for days by the sea hoping to catch the sound of the melodious bells again. The absence of clappers within the glass bells is why a soundtrack is required, and it echoes the sense of loss within the ancient legend. The overall work reflects the musicality and mystery within the plethora of legends and mythical stories connected with the sea. The project was commissioned by Liverpool Biennial 2010, and was originally displayed in The Oratory, the formal chapel of St James Cemetery in Liverpool.

'Song's of the Sea' List of Works

The Temple of a Thousand Bells, 2010, Installation with sound, Lampworked borosilicate glass bells, nylon thread, 5.1sound system, lighting Audio duration: 8’02, Music by Fernando Rocha

Commissioned by Liverpool Biennial International 10

Courtesy of Private Collection

Photo: Colin Davison