Musical Ship Cooktown
The Musical Ship
Climb aboard Cooktown’s Musical ship, a unique musical playground created for young and old…no need to worry about getting seasick on this vessel! Fitted with marimbas, thongaphones, tok-toks, chimes and doof (bass drum), a visit to this interactive sculpture is a must...you can serenade your sweetheart or create your own personalised percussive ensemble. Why not film and download your performance onto Youtube?
Set against the beautiful foreshore of the Endeavour River, this unique 8.5 metre sculptural installation is made from recycled poly-pipe, stainless steel, aluminium, and our local Cooktown Ironwood. The softfall surrounding the ship is made from re-cycled car tyres, with sea creature inserts designed and painted by local Aboriginal artists – Helen Gordon, Conrad Michael and Joseph McIvor.
‘Launched’ in 2007 as part of the Queensland Music Festival, the Musical Ship was designed and built by Steve Langton with his team at Hubbub Music. Commissioned by Queensland Music Festival’s Artistic Director, Paul Grabowsky, the project was supported by Cook Shire Council.
In 2009 the Musical Ship acted as a stage for a stunning avant-garde performance - Laid in Earth presented by the Queensland Music Festival and Cook Shire Council. This multi-media performance with sound, light and video projection featured a newly commissioned work from celebrated composer Damian Barbeler, with performers including multi award winning vocalist Sarah Blasko, Daniel Rojas, chamber ensemble, Kurrawong and a choir of community singers from Hope Vale, Rossville and Cooktown. The event also featured Cairns singer, Emma-Louise, local Deadly Award winning band, Black Image and school children from Cooktown and regional schools.
If you climb aboard the Musical Ship, who knows where your voyage will lead?
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