Sound and Music

At dawn in the rainforest, the spectacular chorus of primates and birds heralds the waking of an evocative, colourful world, while at dusk the familiar calls die away and are replaced by a night-time soundscape of reptiles and insects that is alien to human ears.

visit the microsite at www.whisperingintheleaves.org

Chris Watson’s Whispering in the Leaves is an extraordinary sound installation, using recordings to transport us to the rainforests of South and Central America. Throughout the summer festival, Kew’s Palm House will be diffused with the dawn and dusk choruses of creatures native to these lush tropical landscapes.

Diffused through 80 speakers, the installation features two sound pieces, Dawn and Dusk, which will be transmitted at hourly intervals throughout the day - Dawn in the morning and Dusk in the afternoon. Each lasts 15-20 minutes – the approximate time it takes for the transitions between darkness and daylight in the dense tropical vegetation.

Designed specifically for the Palm House, Whispering in the Leaves is the audio equivalent of 3D cinema. Visitors will be immersed in a dynamic, spatial soundscape of primate calls and birdsong, backed with a shimmering wall of insect sounds. Some of the species heard are currently unknown to humans - visitors will experience the heard but never seen.

Chris Watson is a sound recordist and musician specialising in natural history, renowned for his award-winning wildlife work with David Attenborough on productions such as The Life of Birds and The Life of Mammals. Watson was also a founding member of the electronic music pioneers Cabaret Voltaire (1971) and the Hafler Trio (1981), and has since released music projects on Touch.

Alongside the installation, a programme of special performances, workshops, guided tours and talks gives you the chance to find out more about sound, the environment and biodiversity.

For more information on the events programme and to receive three free Whispering in the Leaves ringtones especially created by Chris Watson, visit www.whisperingintheleaves.org

Whispering in the Leaves is co-produced by Sound and Music & Forma
Originally commissioned by AV Festival 08

Performances and Events

Live audio performances

Chris Watson will perform 20-minute live sound mixes in the Palm House, featuring recordings that include a tropical thunderstorm.
29 May 2010, 1pm – 1.20pm
28 August 2010, 1pm – 1.20pm
29 August 2010, 1pm – 1.20pm

Click on the links below to find out how to take part in one of the events associated with the Whispering in the Leaves installation:

Guided tours

3 June 2010, 11-11.30am
Guided tour by Alec Finlay, Palm House

1 July 2010, 11-11.30am:
Guided tour by Heather & Ivan Morison, Palm House

5 August 2010, 11-11.30am:
Guided tour by Daniela Cascella and Lucia Farinati, Palm House

2 September 2010, 11-11.30am:
Guided tour by an artist, Palm House

Talks by Chris Watson

‘Surrounded by Sound’
18 July 2010, 2.30 – 3.30pm: Jodrell Theatre

‘Acoustic Landscapes’
28 August 2010, 2.30 – 3.30pm: Jodrell Theatre

Workshops

Chris leads a series of workshops for adults, students and young people that will provide an insight into his sound recording techniques. Numbers are limited, so advance booking is recommended.

Adult Workshops

19 July 2010
10 August 2010
23 August 2010

Student Workshops

9 August 2010
24 August 2010