Hear Of The Call From The Deep

The Immerse Art Installation is unveiling a brand-new component this year, introducing a full sensory experience that is set to amaze.

Not only will the audience be able to view the beautiful homage to the spectacular marine ecosystem, they will also be able to listen to a classical composition performed live.

This added touch perfectly complements the magical underwater wonderland theme of Immerse, where sculptured reef creatures and corals entirely constructed using recycled plastics and marine debris, combine with fantastic animated projections.

Dr Corrina Bonshek has created an original orchestral piece specially for the Great Barrier Reef Festival through Arts Queensland funding.

A renowned classical and contemporary musician and composer, Corrina, is turning her sights to nature sounds, including birds, whales, and the ocean, composing a series of classical pieces to encapsulate the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and majestic marine life within.

Performing at a Saturday night exclusive event, Corrina will showcase four classical, contemporary pieces of music, using recordings of Eastern Humpback Whales and reef sounds.

Entitled ‘Call from the Deep’, Corrina will be joined by a host of local musicians and students, creating a spectacularly intimate atmosphere.

The mellow sounds of the flute will be played by Laura Robson, with Finn Williams behind the elegant notes of the violin.

The last of the professional instrumental trio is Idris Harries, with the warm melancholic bass clarinet.

With them will be students from Proserpine State High School and St Catherine’s Catholic College on a range of percussion instruments.

“It’s a great range; we’ve got the flute to be high like a bird and we’ve got the bass clarinet so low that you can feel it,” said Corrina.

In particular, some of the musicians will be hidden amongst the audience, creating a touching three-dimensional aspect to the performance.

“In some parts, people will wonder ‘is that a shrimp or a musician’ because the music will be so multi-directional.”

This new component for the Immerse Installation is touchingly intimate and adds a layer to create a beautiful dialogue between the viewer and audience, the musician, the artist, and the ocean.

“It is charming, fun, intriguing, and uplifting,” explained Corrina.

“I always look to create a space for people to enjoy.

“I find that these compositions are a good fit for the overall art installation.”

Corrina’s inspiration comes from the spectacular music that the whales naturally create.

“Whales are musical creatures,” she said.

“Their songs can sometimes last 24 hours and they’re constantly different, improvising motifs and melodies.”

Corrina said she will often listen to the recordings of the whale songs and select segments that particularly resonant with her and inspire her deeply.

She will then write instrumentals and melodies to accompany the whale song.

“I find it interesting to listen and make something where the human follows the whales,” she explained.

Creating a human response to the whale’s music, she finds that the dynamic dialogue is the melody of the piece, creating a touching and beautiful aspect of the music.

The Immerse Art Installation will be viewable the entire weekend of the Great Barrier Reef Festival, with Corrina’s composition ‘Call from the Deep’ performed on Saturday night, August 5.

WHAT: Call From The Deep

WHERE: Fairytree Park, Airlie Foreshore

WHEN: Saturday, August 5 at 6pm

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