Anthem

Anthem responds to voice sounds produced by visitors

For this work, a large library of sounds from imaginary animals was specially created; these utterances are emitted by speakers placed inside amorphic-looking sculptures hanging from the ceiling. In reality, these sculptural elements are derived from plant disease: they are tumors grown by certain trees. In this way, Anthem integrates a wide array of planetary forces: biological, technological, and imaginary.

Anthem is an interactive installation that invites visitors into a beyond-linguistic “conversation” with a fictional multispecies entity.
It explores communication beyond words, where sound becomes the primary medium of exchange.

The installation consists of sculptural forms inspired by tree tumors, functioning as hollow resonant bodies with embedded microphones and speakers.
Suspended from the ceiling like organic organisms, they are connected through cables and metal structures, forming an overhead ecosystem of sound and matter.

Photo of the Anthem installation at the Diriyah Biennale 2026

The system uses a large library of imaginary animal vocalizations, created through voice, instruments, and sound manipulation.
Visitors activate the work through their own voice (speaking, singing, or whispering) triggering real-time responses that subtly mirror their vocal expressions.

Anthem reveals an uncanny dynamic: the “other” responds with traces of ourselves.
Blending biology, technology, and speculative imagination, the work proposes new ways of understanding how organic, artificial, and fictional systems might coexist and communicate.

Tree tumors, speakers, machine learning system, computer hardware, cables