Musical composition
Requiem for the Reef: Acidification [Returning to the Gothic Ocean Symposium]
Returning to the Gothic Ocean: Maritime, Marine and Aquatic Uncanny in Southern Waters (Virtual, 12-Feb-2021)
2021
Abstract
In our visually dominant society, listening to the state of changing ecosystems can connect people at an embodied sensory level and inspire action (Gilmurray, 2017). <em>Acidification</em> is a collaborative soundscape for cello and electronics that explores acidification, extinction and the urgent need for interdisciplinary action (Gordon et al., 2017) in the conservation and protection of the Great Barrier Reef. The work draws on ecoacoustic hydrophone (underwater) recordings submerging listeners in the sonic environment of this diverse and fragile ecosystem. The recordings document death and ecotoxicity, and form part of an interdisciplinary research project designed to explore sound as a measure for health and call to action in ecological crisis.
The climate crisis and anthropogenic impact continues to cause profound damage to the Great Barrier Reef. This project builds on a large body of work to extend and expand current methods for working with environmental data and experimental music collaborations involving intuitive and visceral improvisations. <em>Acidification</em> is inspired by the destruction and devastation of natural ecosystems. The cello improvisation responded to the timbral qualities of the reef recordings and focussed on advancing new methods for collaboration and extended performance techniques. The resulting collaborative methods are developing new knowledge for creative practitioners to apply creative skillsets to ethical and interdisciplinary collaborations responding to climate change.
Acidification</em> was invited as a featured performance at the national symposium <em>Returning to the Gothic Ocean</em> in February 2021, and the international festival <em>BEAST</em> in April 2021, one of the largest international gatherings for electroacoustic music. The success of the performances has resulted in invitations for an international keynote, a co-authored chapter in an upcoming anthology of papers published by Manchester University Press, and multiple festival invitations.
Details
- Title
- Requiem for the Reef: Acidification [Returning to the Gothic Ocean Symposium]
- Authors
- Leah Barclay (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre - LegacyBriony Luttrell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
- Conference details
- Returning to the Gothic Ocean: Maritime, Marine and Aquatic Uncanny in Southern Waters (Virtual, 12-Feb-2021)
- Date published
- 2021
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99565808602621
- Output Type
- Musical composition
Metrics
103 Record Views