The past year has been good to the forest, which now towers above our heads, bringing shade from the glowing sun, and new colours to our experiences, as well as a burgeoning habitat for nature.

The soundscape for the forest is singing in a more mature tone of voice too – while still learning and growing as we all are, the forest is slowly acquiring a sense of balance: bringing a renewed connection to the Sonic Minds concepts of dignified acceptance and equanimity.

The Ancestral Forest was planted using the methods of revolutionary Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, who pioneered a method of renewing industrialized landscapes via the replanting of native greenery, and represents the efforts being made across Wonderfruit to engage with, and to be at peace with nature.

The installation was composed to represent the voice of the forest, and as a sonic representation of it. Listening carefully and following its movement brings the listener closer to feeling as the growing forest feels, and to understanding its voice. The sounds heard come entirely from a mixture of: recordings made at Sonic Minds Camp 2024; a performance of MSCTY Studio’s graphic representation of the Ancestral Forest from minimalist composer Terry Riley; recordings made of the original Miyawaki forest at Yokohama National University in Japan; and spoken contributions from around the world performing text from forest visionary Akira Miyawaki. The piece is transmitted from the trees alongside Jiro Endo’s lighting through the night, inviting Wonderers to explore the forest through sound and light, and to pay homage to the Mother Tree.

Part of Sonic Minds 2024.