The Siren is tall, a pillar like sculpture made of knotted and braided rope.

Adorned with copper wind chimes, the sculpture  holds the hopes and dreams of Portland residents collected over the last two years.

The title references both a warning sound and the mythological creature that is today associated with a mermaid but was originally a winged creature (half bird half woman), whose singing of forbidden knowledge lured unwary sailors to an island in Homer’s Odyssey.

During the festival visitors can write their own wishes and dreams on a paper ‘sail’ and add them to the knotted cords. The sails, activated by the sea breeze, sound the chimes which carry the wishes to sea.

 The Siren has been commissioned by the New Curators, a group of early career artists, producers and curators from Dorset who have been supported and mentored by b-side since 2020.