Chris Watson and Félicia Atkinson present their new collaborative work, ‘Things that are far and near’.

Using recorded material gathered by Chris Watson on trips to Japan over the last fifteen years, the two artists create a sonic painting of Japan. There is the sound of mountains, forests, streams, rivers, flood plains, cities and the Sea of Japan.

These field recordings are processed and enhanced by Félicia Atkinson‘s spoken word contributions, which draw on diverse influences – the koans and haikus of poet Matsuo Bashō; readings on crickets and their status in Japan; and topographical notes on the nation’s diverse terrain. The result is a meditation not only on the landscape of Japan, but more widely on our relationship to our environment and planet.

This work will be spatialised on d&b Soundscape, for a uniquely immersive sonic experience.

With the support of Diaphonique, Franco-British fund for classical contemporary music in partnership with the SACEM, the Friends of the French Institute Trust, the British Council, the Institut français, the Institut français du Royaume-Uni, the Centre national de la musique, Creative Scotland and the Salabert Fondation.

With the support of Goethe Institut.