Human Birdsongs Breaks Out In Gateshead
Artist brings dawn chorus to BALTIC

12 January 2007: An ambitious human recreation of the dawn chorus will be at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead from 14 February until 18 March 2007 (Press preview: 13 February 14.00 - 16.00). Dawn Chorus, by artist Marcus Coates, uses unique digital methods to explore the relationship between birdsong and the human voice, drawing out previously unexplored similarities between the behaviour of birds and humans.

Dawn Chorus comprises films of 19 singers that uncannily recreate birdsong in their 'natural habitats'. The individuals are located in various situations such as an underground car-park, an osteopathic clinic and a bath-tub, the project is as much a portrait of British idiosyncrasies as it is of the natural world. The films are hung on screens in the gallery according to the position of the birds when they were recorded, creating an immersive soundscape for visitors to the exhibition.

Dawn Chorus has been produced by Picture This, a Bristol-based commissioning agency and will be premiered at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. The project is supported by the Wellcome Trust. Picture This has worked with Marcus Coates and birdsong expert and wildlife sound recordist Geoff Sample over a three year period to support all aspects of the project, from scientific research and field work, to sourcing and filming singers and presenting the beautiful, natural phenomenon of the dawn chorus as a contemporary art exhibition.

During rigorous fieldwork 14 microphones were placed around woodland to record birds during one morning of birdsong in Northumberland. This study is the first, simultaneous, multi-microphone recording of individual birds during the dawn chorus. From this multi-track recording each song was slowed down up to 16 times, then each human participant was filmed mimicking this slowed down song. Finally the resulting video footage was then speeded up, returning the bird mimicry into its 'real' register. The speeding up of the film not only magically translates the human voice into bird song, but also emphasises unconscious gestures that appear uncannily similar to the physical behaviour of specific birds; a grandfather becomes a pheasant, teachers in a staffroom transform into chiffchaffs, robins and blue tits and an office worker metamorphoses into a wren.

Humans share many aspects of biology and behaviour with birds - birds form social groups, build nests/houses and in some cases mate for life. Birds have very complex vocal/communication patterns which have comparisons to our own; even having varying geographical dialects within the same species.

Metamorphosis through voice and sound is a state that Coates has long been exploring, and he has established a reputation for producing fascinating films in which the human voice accurately mimics complex and beautiful birdsong. Dawn Chorus is the latest and most ambitious project in this series.

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Press Contact Information
For further press information/interviews please contact Anna Cusden at Kallaway on 020 7221 7883 anna.cusden@kallaway.co.ukor Katie Jackson at BALTIC on 0191 440 4912 katiej@balticmill.com

Online Press Centre: www.kallaway.co.uk/picturethis.htm
High-resolution images relating to Dawn Chorus are available to be downloaded from this site as well as Quick Time clips from the work and all press releases relating to the project.

Exhibition Information
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Gateshead Quays
South Shore Road
Gateshead
NE8 3BA
Tel: +44 (0) 191 478 1810
Fax: +44 (0) 191 478 1922

info@balticmill.com
www.balticmill.com

14 February until 18 March 2007
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 10.00 - 18.00
ADMISSION FREE

Marcus Coates Biography
Marcus Coates' practice has continually questioned the ways in which we relate to other species. His film/performance process aims to re-present definitions of humanness through the investigation of cross species consciousness. Coates has exhibited nationally and internationally exhibitions and projects in 2006 include British Art Show 6, Liverpool Biennial, Bucharest Biennial, Romania, Israeli Centre for Digital Art, Holon, Israel and a Grizedale Arts project in Toge and Tokyo, Japan.

About Picture This
Picture This is a Bristol-based commissioning agency that produces moving image projects, exhibitions and events with an emphasis on research, experimentation and collaboration. The agency has a portfolio of partnerships that makes it possible to work with artists on innovative projects with extraordinary contexts. Picture This is currently undergoing a major redevelopment project to expand from agency to atelier. Picture This Atelier will be a 21st century flagship project to champion artistic excellence and innovation in the field of contemporary artists' film and video installation.
www.picture-this.org.uk

About BALTIC
Housed in a landmark industrial building on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead, BALTIC presents a dynamic, diverse and international programme of contemporary visual art. BALTIC provides an ever-changing calendar of exhibitions and activities that give a unique and compelling insight into contemporary artistic practice. The BALTIC programme ranges from blockbuster exhibitions to innovative new work and projects created by artists working within the local community.
www.balticmill.com

About the Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is the largest medical research charity in the UK and the second largest in the world. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending around £500 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust is committed to public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.
www.wellcome.ac.uk
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