Björk uses AI to recreate extinct animal calls for Paris biodiversity installation

Icelandic treasure Björk and French artist Aleph have collaborated on an immersive sound piece that recreates extinct animal calls.  

The new immersive sound installation, titled ‘Natural Manifesto’, is set to run at the Pompidou Centre in Paris from 20 November until 9 December, as part of its “Biodiversity: Which culture for which future?” forum. 

It will consist of a 3-minute 40-second piece that uses AI software to recreate the sound of extinct animals and merge them with spoken word vocals.   

The piece has been supported by sound research institute IRCAM, and curated by Chloé Siganos and Delphine Le Gatt — as well as environmentalists from both France and Iceland.

In the statement, Björk and Aleph wrote: “We wanted to share [the animals’] presence in an architecture representing the industrial age, far away from nature. In the veins of the escalator of the museum, known as the ‘caterpillar,’ we wanted to remind citizens of the raw vitality of endangered creatures. Even though you are restlessly traveling between floors whilst listening to this soundpiece, the tone of animals’ voices hopefully builds a sonic bridge towards the listeners.” 

The statement added: “And in the spirit of these animals, in the magic of how they are sensually aligned with their environment, they become our teachers!” 

IRCAM’s own description notes that “the work combines Björk’s voice, reading her manifesto, with the cries of extinct and endangered animals, harmonized with natural soundscapes.”  

Björk has frequently highlighted environmental causes. In 2008, she released the song 'Náttúra' with Radiohead’s Thom Yorke to promote the protection of the Icelandic environment. She did a similar thing with last year’s duet with Rosalía, ‘Oral’.  

She also recently announced a Cornucopia concert film which deals with climate change at Climate Week, and will be releasing a 480-page book documenting her five-year ‘Cornucopia’ tour on 15 November.