‘Anthropocene in C Major’ takes 12,000 years of climate change data, and turns it into an immersive orchestral / electronic performance.

Over 45 minutes we hear human breakthroughs from the invention of the wheel to the Industrial Revolution and beyond... but also inescapable data trends that tell of our exploitation of the planet, and each other. Over the course of the piece, sound and visuals become more layered and complex as we hurtle towards an intense conclusion in the present. 

Anthropocene In C Major provokes a response to climate change for a species paralysed by its own extractive structures. Through deep listening, it invites us to confront our ecological and systemic grief, become aware of our collective ecology, and find agency for change. At the most crucial time for life on Earth, what can we learn from listening to the past, and what meaning can this bring to our present and future? 

***Winner: Best Film & Digital or Interactive Award - Adelaide Fringe 2023***

Press Reviews:

“An important contribution to ecological art”

“holding time and space to grieve, to cope, to revelate and contemplate paths forward” 

“Anthropocene might be understood as a hyperobject-in-miniature, encapsulating the complexity of our planet in this time of ecological crisis” ★★★★½  - The Serenade Files

"...gives cause to reflect of humankind’s role within our ancient planet" ★★★★½ - Adelaide Fringe Review
"Art is powerful because it opens hearts and changes minds. Perera's highly sensorial, data-driven work is absolutely mesmerizing, shocking and mobilising in equal measure" - Climarte Melbourne

Audience feedback:

"Thank you for giving the Earth a voice"

“Hectic, thought provoking and brilliant”

“In all this complexity, suddenly it felt like nature was looking back at me”

Press Kit | Performance Guide | Full list of Data Sources | Camera-Ready Paper

Reviews:

★★★★½  The Serenade Files (Full Review)

★★★★½  Adelaide Fringe Review (Full Review)

Performances, installations and presentations:

SXSW - UK Immersive Takeover Day 2024

Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts / Sussex Humanities Lab Annual Keynote 2023 

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2023

ICAD 2022

Climarte Gallery Melbourne 2022

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2022

DACA - Data Art For Climate Action - Installation 2022

Silbersalz Science Festival  - with archive film and live AI visuals.

CPH:DOX 21 -  with live documentary interpretation by Katharine Round, created live by the artists, and you, the audience – as listeners, makers, observers and subjects.

Electric Dreams Festival 2020 - performed live with live archive film Twelve Thousand Years In Fragments by Katharine Round

Credits:

Composer: Jamie Perera

AICM Abstract film: Jamie Perera

Live film: Katharine Round

Orchestrator: Dan Keen

Sonification Programming: Adrian Lewis

Composition mentoring: Emily Howard

Featuring located sound by Alice Eldridge, Jez riley French and Pheobe riley Law

Developed in CPH:LABS by Jamie Perera, Katharine Round and Leah Borromeo