Evening Chorus

The ocean is never truly silent.
In Evening Chorus, Leon Butler transforms the sound of sea urchins into a poetic and interactive sonic landscape. Inspired by Celtic legends and direct underwater observation in Alonissos, the artist creates a VR environment where a virtual sea urchin responds to the viewer’s proximity. As one approaches, layers of natural recordings and melodic tones emerge, resonating from the spiny body of the creature. A quiet ocean signals danger; a vibrant one sings. This work highlights the acoustic biodiversity of marine life, especially soniferous organisms like sea urchins, and their role in understanding underwater ecosystems. Blending mythology, technology, and ecological data, Evening Chorus invites us to listen more deeply, to rediscover the bond between sound and marine life.