Body Ex Wild is a sound installation that is proposed for the island in the lake of Birdsland Reserve. The installation will feature a multi-channel soundscape that is generated and controlled by a computer. The soundscape will consist of recorded sounds of local people doing vocal impressions of extinct animals. The artistic concept highlights the idea that we carry a connection with nature inside our bodies and by giving voice to that connection we signal our physical and psychological relationship with nature.
Positioned on the inaccessible island, the installation will use the theatrical qualities of this feature. Sounds coming across the water will emphasise the separation between the audience and the subject. The effect will be mysterious, poignant and powerful while at the same time relatable and fun.
Local groups that are interested:
Kym Saunders from Yarra Ranges Council has advised that many environment volunteers would be interested in participating. As part of the planning phase of the project some kind of training run by the artist may be incorporated into volunteer participation.
Installation Details
All equipment has been designed and configured by the artist and has been run successfully over multiple installations. It consists of:
• island located at: -37.924452,145.326161
• 9 channel sound system using small satellite speakers (sound level can be minimised due to the effects of sound propagation across water)
• equipment to be installed in a safe housing that is temperature regulated with automated venting
• equipment powered by a portable solar system and will be located on the island as shown in the diagram above.
• the installation is fully automated and will run on the hour from 3 to 6 pm on Friday to Sunday from Nov 13 t0 Dec 20th 2026. This respects the fact that many people use the reserve for peace and quiet. Performance times will be advertised on signage in Birdsland Carpark as will as at the site.
Site Impact Assessment - Birdsland
Any human intervention in a site will cause a certain level of stress on wildlife. This includes the presence of people moving through the site. Given this the addition of a soundscape on the site at Birdsland will not contribute significantly to wildlife stress however the installation will be conducted with best practice in mind:
• experts on the effects of noise pollution on wildlife have previously been consulted and safe practice has been identified and will carried out - i.e. not running the installation during mating season, limiting sound level to the ambient level on site, limiting the periods of the installation so animals can communicate during the day.
• further advice from Melbourne Water indicates that to safeguard the well being of the local platypus population sound should not be run at night
• because there is minimal risk from tampering or theft the installation can be low impact with respect to attaching cables and speakers
installation speakers
setting cup on site - Mt Evelyn
Lung Trees Site equipment - Alfred Nicholas Gardens
equipment housing
equipment housing
Installation System Design
The following diagram is the configuration for an autonomous installation system that minimises power use by automating power draw via smart plugs and a timer that starts up and shuts down the power system each day. Audio playback will occur automatically according to purpose built software. The design includes an industrial grade cellular modem that will allow remote control of the interrelation as well and well as providing an RSS feed to the CFA for Fire ban days (in which case the system will not run).
