Hljóðhimnar is a play on the Icelandic word for Ear drum - Hljóðhimna - which then translates directly as Sound Worlds. The installation is an invitation to experience the vast world of music and sound, without any previous knowledge or education needed.

Hljóðhimnar was commissioned by Harpa as a part of their 10 year anniversary program. The project was developed in 2021 and will open in early spring 2022. This permanent installation is a birthday present to all children from Harpa and its residents, including the smallest resident Maximus Musicus (a music loving mouse hiding in the nooks and crannies of Harpa) to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Icelandic Opera and Reykjavík Big Band.

The layout of the space is inspired by the magical journey of a soundwave through different parts of our ear, divided into three parts: “Outer Ear”, “Middle Ear” and “Inner Ear”. In the Outer Ear children are invited to step into the role of a conducter, being able to isolate specific instruments and choose how they play together as a symphony orchestra. The Middle Ear brings our attention to the science of sound; how a soundwave is essentially moving the air - and experience how music can move us. The Inner Ear focuses on music genres, how we can travel the world through different styles and arrangements of songs - and how music can speak to us without speaking the language it is sung in.  

The visual language of the designs takes its inspiration from music notation through human time, particularly from painted historical scripts of Tibetan music. They are mirrored in digital renderings of soundwaves as well as the tidal waves of the ocean surrounding Harpa Music Hall.