Inspired by this year’s Gather Round theme, we take a deeper dive into some of the unique and diverse events that Brighton Festival 2023 has to offer.
First up is The Sleeping Tree - a world premiere from award-winning arts studio Invisible Flock that brings the sounds of the Sumatran rainforest to Brighton Dome Concert Hall. The immersive installation uses technology to surround visitors with the sounds of the jungle as we follow the path of a family of endangered Siamang gibbons as they wake, roam, and sleep. To bring this captivating audio piece to life, the team worked with rangers and primatologists in Sumatra to capture a 3-month-long soundscape of the surrounding environment. We spoke to Invisible Flock’s Creative Director, Victoria Pratt to find out more:
Where did the idea or inspiration for The Sleeping Tree come from?
In 2019 we began a collaboration with forest rangers and primatologists based in Sumatra to use bespoke audio recording technology we had developed in order to monitor and understand the biodiversity of a large section of rainforest. It was during this time we heard the Siamang calls for the first time and learnt of their sleeping trees.
The bond between the adult male and female Siamang is very strong and they celebrate their relationship regularly with elaborate displays where they sway through the tallest trees and sing a duet.
How would you describe The Sleeping Tree in three words?
Surprising, precious, vulnerable.
What do you hope people will take away from your event after they have seen or experienced it?
We hope that you can be entranced by it and get lost in this magical and rare ecosystem. We hope that you can find time to reflect on our relationship to these ecosystems.
Constantly changing, The Sleeping Tree listening experience will be completely different depending on when you enter, as the evolving noises of the rainforest shift throughout the day. Each day ticket allows you to enter and re-enter the exhibition at any time and stay for as long as you like, with extended opening times allowing guests to enjoy the experience at daytime or at dusk, night-time or dawn.
On Saturday 6 May, The Sleeping Tree installation is accompanied by a panel discussion that will explore the recordings and the project’s central theme of habitat loss. In a special performance on Sunday 7 May, Guest Director and musician Nabihah Iqbal will join Invisible Flock for a live sound performance to highlight the connection between humans and the forest.
The Sleeping Tree, 6-7 May, Brighton Dome Concert Hall