Kunstværket og Landkendings mærket Vindharpen er opført i 1994 af Bjarne Jerup Høj. Skulpturen består af forenderne fra to ophuggede fiskekuttere, øverst på de to forender er der opstillet en stor halv rund bøjle der på den renoverede version bærer vindharpen og de to store fugle, som er svævende over vindharpen, tænkt som et symbol på naturens vind udnyttende dyr, de to fugle skuer ind over Hou by med deres glas øjne.
Havnen fik med opstillingen af skulpturen i 94, (der hurtigt fik navnet ”Vindharpen”) sit landkendingsmærke for lystsejlerne når de anduver Hou Havn.
Vindharpen spiller ved, at vinden blæser ind gennem en tragt, enten fra vest eller østlige retninger og presses gennem en smal passage, hvor der er udspændt strenge i forskellige tykkelser over en klangbund, der sættes i vibrationer, når vinden passerer. Tonerne fra de forskellige strenge er i varierende styrke alt efter vindens styrke og retning.
Vindharpen er i foråret 2021 blevet renoveret og kunstværket har fået et helt nyt udtryk og er blevet levetids forlænget i mange år med sin nye kobber beklædning og nu med indbyggede bænke så man kan sidde og nyde vindens liflige toner.
Eng:
The artwork Vindharpen were built in 1994 by Bjarne Jerup Høj. The sculpture consists of the front ends of two scrapped fishing vessels, mounted on top of the two front ends there is half a round hoop, that on the renovated version carries the wind harp and two large birds on top, which are hovering over the wind harp, meant as a symbol of the wind`s using animals, They a looking over Hou town with there glass eyes.
With the erection of the sculpture in 94, (which was quickly given the name "Vindharpen"), the harbor got its landmark for the yachtsmen when they approaching the Harbor of Hou.
The wind harp plays it`s sounds by the wind blowing in through a funnel, either from west or east directions, and is pressed through a narrow passage, where strings of different thicknesses are stretched over a sounding bottom, which is set in vibrations as the wind passes. The tones from the different strings are in varying strength depending on the strength and direction of the wind.
The wind harp has been renovated in the spring of 2021 and the artwork has been given a completely new look and has been life extended for many years to com with its new copper cladding ,and now with built-in benches so you can sit and enjoy the pleasant tones of the wind.
