Sydney Opera House sails to be illuminated with The Great Animal Orchestra ahead of Biennale

In the lead up to the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, the Biennale of Sydney, and Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain have announced that a site-specific version of The Great Animal Orchestra will be projected on the sails of the Sydney Opera House over three nights from 9th – 11th March, 7.30-9.30pm and accompanied by an Amazonian soundscape anticipated to be heard across Sydney The projection marks the countdown to the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, titled rīvus, opening to the public on 12th March 2022. 

The Great Animal Orchestra is a mesmerising audio-visual experience of animal sounds recorded in natural habitats around the world, by American pioneer soundscape ecologist Bernie Krause, in collaboration with London-based collective United Visual Artists.

Created at the initiative of the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, the environmentally focused immersive installation will make its Australian premiere at the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, presented at the Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo for the duration of the three-month exhibition from 12th March to 13th June 2022.

Bernie Krause, musician and soundscape ecologist advises “This segment, extracted from The Great Animal Orchestra fine art piece conveys a deep sense of reverence for the power of the biophonies, like the example recorded at dawn one day in a distinctive Amazonian biome. It is not without irony that images of these original acoustic scores are projected onto the Sydney Opera House sails at this historic moment. After all, it was from the voices of the animal world that we humans learned to dance, sing, and organise sound into formal structure. This is a tribute to those artists – the singers, dancers and drummers to whom we owe so much of our cultural expression. These acoustic expressions also carry a word of caution, a paraphrased aphorism from the late David Bowie: The future belongs to those who can hear it coming.”

After working with musicians like The Doors and creating effects for film scores including Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now, Bernie Krause turned his back on studio work and headed outdoors to focus on field recording. Krause’s unparalleled research is a rare insight into the unseen world of animals. It reveals the beauty and the intricacy of animal vocalisations, which are now in danger of being silenced by human activity. Through his recording, Krause implores us to start listening before hush descends on the ‘great animal orchestra’.

The immersive soundscape comes to life with visualisations, created by United Visual Artists, of each animal's contributions to the ‘orchestra’ in vulnerable habitats in Africa, North America, the Pacific Ocean and the Amazonas (Amazon River).

José Roca, Artistic Director, 23rd Biennale of Sydney notes ”The Great Animal Orchestra is a meditative work, giving audiences an emotional and sensory experience as they listen to the sounds of the animal world. Given that rīvus reflects on our connections with waterways, there’s no better place to preview this profound work than on Sydney’s iconic harbour.”

Barbara Moore, Chief Executive, Biennale of Sydney, adds “The Great Animal Orchestra has been presented to enormous international acclaim in Shanghai, Seoul, London, Milan and Boston, and attracted more than 200,000 visitors in Paris. Premièring this work in Australia in partnership with Foundation Cartier allows audiences to connect globally through this shared experience, sparking conversation about our impacts on the natural world we share. We are thrilled to present a special preview of the work on the stunning Sydney Opera House sails celebrating the opening weekend of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney. The Biennale and the Sydney Opera House have an enduring relationship – the Opera House was the site of the very first Biennale in 1973 – and it is fitting to share another iconic moment as both organisations approach their 50th anniversaries in 2023.”

Louise Herron, Chief Executive, Sydney Opera House shares “The Biennale of Sydney was launched in 1973 as part of the Opera House’s opening celebrations. Over almost 50 years both organisations have played dynamic and invaluable roles in the life of the city – and continue to do so. I am thrilled we’re celebrating our longstanding relationship with this very special projection of The Great Animal Orchestra on the Opera House sails, once again sparking conversations, making connections and inspiring change.”

The Great Animal Orchestra is presented as part of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, one of the largest contemporary art events in the world. Titled rīvus, meaning ‘stream’ in Latin, the 23rd Biennale of Sydney will feature new work and commissions responding to water ecology and relationships with the natural world. Audiences will experience over 330 artworks by over 80 participants from large-scale immersive installations, site specific projects to living works. Presenting international participants include Kiki Smith, Marguerite Humeau, Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe, John Gerrard, Jumana Emil Abboud and Ackroyd & Harvey alongside Australian participants such as Badger Bates, Clare Milledge, Julie Gough and D Harding. The list of participants extends beyond the realm of the visual arts and includes bodies of water and their custodians around the world including Australia, Bangladesh and Ecuador.  

To book free tickets to The Great Animal Orchestra, go to www.biennaleofsydney.art/participants/the-great-animal-orchestra/

Details of the program highlights for the 23rd Biennale of Sydney can be viewed here

All programs will have conditions of entry adhering to the relevant NSW Government Public Health Orders and health advice.

Image: The Great Animal Orchestra by Bernie Krause and the United Visual Artists projected on the Sydney Opera House, 9th-11th March 2022. Presented by Fondation Cartier and the Sydney Biennale. Photo Credit: Daniel Boud