A woodland sound installation by Joe Acheson and Tim Southorn
Originally commissioned by Kew Gardens for the botanical forest at Wakehurst, Sussex.

Sonic Woodland turns a woodland clearing into a sonic oasis. Five trees perform a constantly regenerating cello canon that melds with the natural forest sounds of birds, animals, insects and the wind in the trees, inviting you to soak in the woodland atmosphere in calm wonder.

The soundscape is alive, like the woodland it inhabits, using carefully programmed AI to constantly generate a never-repeating arrangement of the cello canon, performed by Rebecca Knight of the City of London Sinfonia. Layers of melodies from the individual trees combine to create rich harmonies that swirl around the glade, echoing the constant subterranean exchange of nutrients, minerals and water through the mycorrhizal network that connects the trees by their roots. Randomisation is also used to trigger short, sporadic bursts of sound that bounce from tree to tree - pianos, log drums, woodpeckers tapping out morse code signals, synth arpeggios - representing the Volatile Organic Compounds that the trees release to signal warnings of pests and disease to each other.

Joe Acheson is a composer, musician, sound designer and music producer, mainly known for releasing and performing music as Hidden Orchestra. As an installation artist, Joe has been commissioned by the National Trust, Kew Gardens and Bristol Beacon.

Tim Southorn is a sound engineer and a specialist in spatial audio. He has an extensive background in audio system design, consults on audio product design, and has helped create many AV installations and art pieces.

Opening Times:
Launched as part of Hidden Notes Festival vol.4 2024 Sonic Woodland is currently installed in the woods at Hawkwood. The family friendly installation is completely free to access and will run for a few months open from 9:30am till 4pm every day (closed Sun 3rd Nov)

MAP:
See below or download here