Björk and the French artist Aleph have collaborated on an immersive, AI sound piece that recreates extinct animal calls, set to run at the Pompidou Centre in Paris from November 20 until December 9. It will play as visitors travel on escalators in the art museum, as part of its “Biodiversity: Which culture for which future?” forum. Information on a related campaign involving Björk and Aleph will follow, according to a joint statement accompanying the piece. Watch trailers for the piece on Instagram and X.
In the statement, Björk and Aleph wrote, “We wanted to share [the animals’] presence in an architecture representing the industrial age, far away from nature. In the veins of the escalator of the museum, known as the “caterpillar,” we wanted to remind citizens of the raw vitality of endangered creatures. Even though you are restlessly traveling between floors whilst listening to this soundpiece, the tone of animals’ voices hopefully builds a sonic bridge towards the listeners. And in the spirit of these animals, in the magic of how they are sensually aligned with their environment, they become our teachers!”
The duo collaborated on the words and concept, with Björk writing and composing the music. It was made in partnership with the French sound research institute IRCAM. IRCAM’s own description notes that “the work combines Björk’s voice, reading her manifesto, with the cries of extinct and endangered animals, harmonized with natural soundscapes.” Björk, long a climate activist, recently announced a Cornucopia concert film at Climate Week.
