Listen Up: Northern Soundscapes

On view April 2 - Oct. 3, 2021

The Arctic has its own distinct rhythms. Up here, the sounds of natural forces, animals, and humans come together to create their own kind of music— soundscapes that murmur and boom, throb and hum, crack and cry, rustle and sing. Listening closely to the sounds and silences of the North opens up an intimate and resonant understanding of place.

The central experience of Listen Up is delivered through five sound “cubes” broadcasting recordings of natural and environmental sounds emanating from five locations around Alaska. Visitors can listen to these soundscapes along with new works of sound art created by artists in response to them.

Participating artists live in or are connected to Alaska and other parts of the US, Russia, Canada, and Scandinavia, and range from hip-hop beat makers to throat singers to composers. They include: Marja Ahti, Leah Beeferman, Aqqalu Berthelsen, Davyd Betchkal, Matthew Burtner, Foresteppe, Nicholas Galanin, Shawn Greenlee, Merritt Johnson, John Luther Adams, Jeneen Frei Njootli, Pamyua, Silla and Rise, Alex Somers, and Jana Winderen. Ranging from acoustic and classical to hip-hop, ambient and electronica, these artist recordings will also be available in an upcoming limited-edition release by the museum’s Unbound Records.

Ten new commissions will be debuted by internationally recognized sound artists and musicians. These sound pieces are derived from sound data gathered from across Alaska. The exhibition also highlights Anchorage Museum collection objects along with recordings of their sounds. Additional programming, performances, and temporary installations throughout the run of the exhibition present new works and ways of hearing the Northern landscape.

Ranging from acoustic and classical to hip-hop, ambient and electronica, these recordings will also be available in a limited-edition release by the Museum’s Unbound Records.

Image Credit: Finnbogi Peturss