The Lyre of Thirst

by Génesis Reyes, Yash Raj, Gunjan, Ali Noor

The Lyre of Thirst is an interactive art installation that transforms the deep, ancient bond between the desert and water into a layered experience of sound, light, and touch. Drawing inspiration from the classical lyre, a timeless symbol of spiritual reflection and yearning, it reimagines its strings as flowing streams of water. These streams do not produce simple musical notes but unfold spoken narratives and layered soundscapes when touched. A constant, ethereal background track fills the space, creating a calm, almost sacred atmosphere, while each interaction briefly interrupts this flow to reveal a story rather than a melody. The public is invited to “play” the piece by touching or momentarily disturbing the water’s path, activating voices that carry meaning, memory, and place.

At the heart of the work is the illusion of water rising miraculously from the desert earth itself, a blessed and rare event. In arid landscapes, water is more than a resource; it becomes a living voice that tells stories of survival, movement, and spiritual longing. Each stream holds fragments of memory, from hidden underground aquifers to wandering journeys across the desert, and moments of devotion shaped by scarcity. By fusing ancient symbolism with contemporary interactive design, the installation invites the audience not only to touch water, but to listen to it speak. Every string becomes a reminder that in the desert, finding water is finding life, and listening to its voice is a way of understanding the fragile harmony connecting human presence, spirituality, and the land.