Observations On Being

Inviting audiences to cross the threshold and follow an expansive journey through the invisible natural world, Observations on Being brings together a series of thought-provoking and immersive audiovisual art installations and soundscapes, which challenge our ideas of life and death and examine our symbiotic relationship with nature. The ambitious works will be located across the beautiful, tree-filled spaces and buildings of Charterhouse Heritage Park – Joseph Paxton’s Grade I listed cemetery and its arboretum.

Observations on Being has been developed by Marshmallow Laser Feast in collaboration with artists James Bulley and Natan Sinigaglia and some of the extraordinary and influential scientists, writers and musicians who have inspired and informed their work. Contributors from the science community include; pioneering medical imaging innovators Fraunhofer MEVIS (who partnered on The Tides Within Us), Hae-jin & Jacob Marshall of EMBC, Nessie Reid of the Global Environments Network (GEN), ecologist and philosopher Dr David Abram, professor of Plant Soil Processes Prof. Katie Field, the author and biologist Merlin Sheldrake and holistic scientist Dr Stephan Harding. 

Observations on Being features Jem Finer’s Longplayer and includes contributions from electronic music pioneers  Suzanne Ciani and John Hopkins. Visually impaired environmental workshop leader Andy Shipley will create the work’s prelude. Poet and writer Daisy Lafarge has written the narrative that threads throughout the work and, long term collaborator of Marshmallow Laser Feast, visual artist Natan Sinigaglia has collaborated on video installations We Live in an Ocean of Air and Tides Within Us. Designers from Coventry University have been commissioned to create a series of ‘resting sculptures’ for the work.

Beginning with a blindfolded walk into the 42-acre site, Observations on Being draws visitors into a series of meditations that explore our intimacy and interconnectedness with the natural world. Seven site-specific, large-scale artworks are embedded in the natural surroundings of the cemetery and bring together music, voice, spatial sound design, groundbreaking visual worlds and sensory effects. Each situates the audience in a powerful encounter that traces the threads of our co-existence, expanding our sense of self beyond our bodies, reaching out into a sensuous and more than human experience of the world.

Observations on Being is suitable for all ages (recommended 8+).

Observations On Being was created by Marshmallow Laser Feast, in collaboration with James Bulley and Natan Sinigaglia.

Observations on Being is funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation. The Tides Within Us was originally supported and presented by York Museums Trust.

Observations on Being was commissioned by Coventry City of Culture Trust and produced in partnership with York Mediale. Presented in partnership with Historic Coventry Trust, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Coventry City Council.