Becoming a BirdBecoming a BirdSight, Sound, and WordsSight, Sound, and Words

Perspective and Perception

We are less and less connected with the sounds, smells, sights, and subtle clues of the natural world.

Human Perception

VISUAL PERSPECTIVE

Entering an Owl’s Nesting Box

SOUND

Sound:Bird Calls and Songs

• Probably inspired music and possibly language of humans

• How do Humans Study Bird Song?

• Science Approach: deafen the birds; cut out the syrinx

• Musician’s Approach: play music to birds

Musical composition with Bird Song

• recordings, editing, choosing sequences

Text

Visual, Audio and Cultural

Bird Audio Tour of Arboretum

• Ipod

• Sketchbook

• Website

How Birds are Viewed in Human Culture

• Visual Objects

• Poetry and Metaphor

• Theater

ARISTOPHANES “THE Birds”

First Performed at the Great Dionysia of 414 B.C.

A couple of Athenians are tired of the City and its hassles and go off to find some place not influenced by humans. The Hoopoe, a bird who was formerly a human, tells them that there is no place in the known world that can evade the far reaching clutches of the Athenian Empire. The Hoopoe tells of his life with the birds, and their easy existence of eating and loving. This is perfect, and Makedo hatches an amazing idea. They will found a city of the birds and live among them. An exotic array of birds are called together and after the initial threat passes, these two age old enemies- Man and Bird- conspire to elect Makedo their representative and demand recognition for their city in the sky from both the gods above and the mortals below. Makedo creates an embargo and controls the air. No sacrifices will be allowed to pass through his territory and reach heaven, and the gods will be denied passage to earth. Man will be denied the comfort of their gods and the gods will starve from lack of sacrificial offerings.

The Birds (after Aristophanes)

• Birds: California Birds Speaking in their song, with translations

• Plot: Birds are holding humans hostage (avian flu??) and humans send emissary to negotiate with the birds

• Could be performed outdoors or indoors

Summary

• Visual Perspective: An Installation in Which the Human is surrounded on 3 sides by images from within an Owl’s Box

• Audio and Visual: Bird Recordings and Bird Song Compositions

• Audio, Visual, and Cultural: Avian Audio Tour of the Arboretum

• Visual Culture: Art History Slide Show of Birds

• Updated Play Based on Aristophanes “The Birds”