A multi-channel, spatialised sound installation held over three evenings in Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland, featuring witnessed, conversations of thousands of ravens returning to roost.
Chris Watson’s composition immerses audiences in sound over an hour and a half in the twilight, starting with the calls of distant ravens and concluding with a full raven roost overhead. The work anticipates and celebrates the return of these powerful voices to the forest, making a connection back to Norse mythology. This is a unique experience for audiences to discover the lore and legend of ravens.
Hrafn; Conversations with Odin, by Chris Watson collaborating with Iain Pate was one of two commissions made through the inaugural Jerwood Open Forest.
Kielder Water & Forest Park spans 250 square miles and is home to the largest working forest in England and the largest man-made lake in northern Europe. It was awarded the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. It is also the home of the award winning arts commissioning programme Kielder Art & Architecture. Together with Northumberland National Park, it was granted gold tier international Dark Sky Park status in December 2013.