A NEW artwork exploring how the Army has used brass music to communicate on the battlefield has been unveiled.

Call Up The Men, a sound installation by artist Amie Slaven, is now open at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery in Durham City.

Historically, brass instruments have been used by the military as a form of public address system, with specific melodies and rhythms created to pass information on to soldiers.

Whether it is conveying the time of day or giving the command to charge, over the years, many of these calls have acquired lyrics, turning them into song.

It is thought that these lyrics were developed as aides-memoirs for the musicians tasked with reproducing them on the battlefield.

Ms Slaven said: “The impulse for Call Up The Men is the humanising light these songs shed on the tough world of the armed forces, which is often mysterious to civilians.”

The installation is aimed at civilian and military visitors, with the intention that children will find it just as entertaining as older people.

Ms Slaven's previous work has included producing Fractal Sparks, a music and light performance at Durham Cathedral by Jo Hamilton, which was commissioned for BRASS 2014.

Call Up The Men runs until Saturday, October 3.

Normal admission charges apply.