Whispering in the Leaves

Immerse yourself in the sounds of a tropical rainforest

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.

Imagine being in a tropical rainforest...

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.

Diffused through 80 speakers, the installation features two sound pieces, Dawn and Dusk, which will be transmitted on the hour 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.

Listen now...

'Forest at Night'

'Frog chorus'

'Evening atmosphere'

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: see below.

For more information on the events programme and to receive 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 and Forma. Originally commissioned by AV Festival 08

The Palm House at dusk

Performances and Events

Please note: The Palm House will be closed every Tuesday from 2.00pm.

Live audio performances

Chris Watson will perform 20-minute live sound mixes in the Palm House, featuring recordings that include a tropical thunderstorm.
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

Come and hear the sound installation of Whispering in the Leaves in the Palm House at 11.00am before the guided tour

1 July 2010
11.20 -11.50am: Guided tour by Heather & Ivan Morison, Palm House
http://www.whisperingintheleaves.org/talks_and_events/guided_tours/1_july_2010.html

5 August 2010
11.20 -11.50am: Guided tour by Daniela Cascella and Lucia Farinati, Palm House
http://www.whisperingintheleaves.org/talks_and_events/guided_tours/5_august_2010.html

2 September 2010
11.20 -11.50am: Guided tour by Emma Ridgway (curator at the RSA), Palm House
Details TBC

Talks by Chris Watson

‘Acoustic Landscapes’ - Free - Tickets available at all Gates
28 August 2010, 2.30 – 3.30pm: Jodrell Lecture Theatre
http://www.whisperingintheleaves.org/talks_and_events/talks/28_august_2010.html

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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.