Web of Life 02

Have you ever noticed a bird tweeting in your favorite song? The echo of ocean waves through the mix on your headphones when commuting to work? The crunch of dry leaves supporting the backbeat to a DJ set? 

From classic artists like The Beatles and Joni Mitchell to modern icons like Billie Eilish, part of the music we listen to includes sounds recorded from or inspired by nature. But do we acknowledge the authorship or creative rights of the non-human? What might this look like?

With their upcoming album, interdisciplinary artist and environmental scientist Willow Gatewood strives to do exactly that. "Plant Music for Tea Parlours" is a future ambient album co-created with plants, fungi, and the more-than-human realm. In partnership with socio-ecologically activated Agami Records, Willow explores ways to not only give credit, but give back, to the organisms and Earth that co-authored the release. 

Together with the upcoming release of Willow Gatewood’s album we turn our attention to more-than-human songcraft — the practice of making music with non-human co-authors, like plants, animals, microorganisms, natural forces, places, or objects — and how these collaborations can be recognised and credited transparently in music publishing.

On this special occasion, Web of Life warmly invites you to the inaugural Willow’s “Plant Music for Tea Parlours” performance, featuring non-human co-authors, Web of Life (WoL), followed by a facilitated discussion exploring non-human collaborations in the music industry and their broader socio-cultural and economic potential(s). 

We will also pose questions to the royalties-based music industry: who has the right to receive compensation, and of what kind? Would the creation of a nonhuman profile on global music streaming platforms follow a royalties-based model? Could financial gain remain secondary, focusing instead on education, awareness-building, and values that respect the diversity of life forms on our planet?

The session will be cohosted by Sylwia Orczykowska, Art Now Founder, Willow Gatewood, Multidisciplinary Artist and Environmental Scientist, and a special guest Cristoforo Gaetani, Agami Records Founder. We look forward to the participation of artists engaged in practices with non-humans, voices affiliated with the music industry, as well as other artists, researchers, scientists, and enthusiasts of the web-of-life perspectives. 

The session format will offer space for deep reflection, meaningful exchange and a starting point for initiating practical steps. See you there!

Time-zone reminder. We’re streaming at 19:00 CET (Zurich, Switzerland), 13:00 EST (New York, US), 15:00 BRT (Alto Paraíso, Brazil). Please check the corresponding time in your location. Please check the corresponding time in your location.

Zoom link to join the session: here Transformative art curation: Art Now

Independent record label: Agami Records Living systems lab partner: MonViso Institute

The session is free of charge. Please RSVP for your attendance.