Collaboration, collective experiences, and shattering boundaries are, according to Kay Matschullat of MAXlive (Media Art Xploration), the key to discovering the secrets of the universe. Kay, founding artistic director, an accomplished performing and media arts producer, and educator, dedicated her work to uniting storytellers, performers, scientists, and creative technologists, ultimately enriching people's lives with out-of-the-box perceptions and unique interpretations of the world.
In the coming months, MAXlive, a non-profit dedicated to broadening perspectives by merging arts and technology, will host Sonic Sunset, a prolific sensory experience focusing on the storytelling and educational power of sound. That immersive exhibition will take visitors on an exhilarating journey from below the surface of the freezing arctic waters to the luscious rainforests of Borneo and the bustling streets and skies of Delhi.
Curated by combining field notes of the world's three renowned scientists—Dr. Nishant Kumar, Dr. Wendy Erb, and Dr. Michelle Fournet—with the authentic recordings of the noises that breathe life into three entirely different ecosystems, Sonic Sunset holds the promise of elevating existing research on nature through the medium of art.
Nick Ryan—founder of Nick Ryan Studio, an Emmy and BAFTA award-winning composer, and a sound designer—will enhance the recordings with his all-encompassing expertise. Since its establishment, this high-end studio has been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what audio can be. Sonic Sunset reflects that mission, disrupting the industry by providing audiences with inspiring sounds, avant-garde installations, and real-time interactions between people and the noise. They are currently experimenting with the movements affecting the sounds produced by the environment, mirroring the impact of humanity on the natural world.
Sonic Sunset, now poised to transcend the hems of traditional audio art, blossomed from a miraculous encounter between Kay, Dr. Fournet, an acoustic ecologist, and Nick. While working on a feature film, Fanthom, an idea to create an exhibition centered around art and scientists flourished, resulting in an art-driven and unique transatlantic relationship.
Immersive storytelling is what creates this exhibition, taking visitors on a one-of-a-kind journey that sparks a profound understanding of the world through evoking raw emotions and genuine connections. Every storyline is unique, mirroring the individuality of the three scientists involved in the project. As each page of the notebooks, meticulously scripted over decades of fieldwork, comes alive through the power of sound, audiences get a glimpse into the stories written by nature. Enriching the exhibition are narratives and scientific research on the tales of indigenous inhabitants of each ecosystem, told in their own voices, dialects, and languages.
Sonic Sunset, curated by Kay Matschullat of MAXlive and audio magician Nick Ryan, will be available for the pleasure of audiences in the coming months, with plans to present the first iteration in 2024 and premiere in 2025. Submerged in the sounds of whales in the Arctic, captivated by the voices of orangutans in Indonesia, or inspired by the hustle and bustle of Delhi, visitors have a unique opportunity to explore the diversity of the world through the contrasting yet innately connected lenses of science and art.
"A sound is an aesthetical experience that opens the portal to discovery and understanding," shares Ryan. "What we hope to achieve is to show the changes in these ecosystems by capturing the noises permeating these spaces over time. More than a delight for human sensors, the exhibition is a wealth of knowledge for scientists and researchers, offering a fresh perspective of knowledge, one that relies on direct interactions and first-hand experiences. Sonic Sunset is a blend of technology and creativity that shouldn't be missed."
Illustrating her excitement and faith in the project's potential, Kay says, "Everyone who has worked on Sonic Sunset brings a remarkable perspective and creativity. The work is magical and immersive, embracing people within the uniqueness of each ecosystem. The exhibition is a fusion of miracles, beauty, majesty, but also eeriness. It's all about bringing awareness to the current state of the world and using art to combat environmental decline, connect people, and foster a new era of authenticity and creativity."
