Nested Sequence, National Geographic – Symphony for our World. Supplied.
It’s a safe bet that many of us grew up poring over those yellow-spine magazines, so tattered from overexcited fingers flipping over the pages; the ones that delivered distant worlds we’d hoped to visit one day, or if not, at least live vicariously through the full-colour images and richly descriptive prose. Those National Geographic publications were a truly transportative experience and seeking escapist pleasure through the collection was practically a rite of passage for many children. This production hence, collated from 130 years worth of National Geographic archival material, is both a nostalgic exercise and a nod towards the future as it reminds us of what we have and what we stand to lose.
Symphony for Our World is an apt title for the show, which is a harmonious marriage between sound and sight. It’s a collaboration between National Geographic natural history footage and video with an original symphony and theme created by Emmy and BAFTA nominated Bleeding Fingers Music, featuring composers Hans Zimmer, Austin Fray and Andrew Christi. A multi-sensory experience, it’s one of those events that truly caters for all, and this was reflected in the wide age-range in attendance on opening night. Backed with a full orchestra and a choir, the production at Hamer Hall was enriching and humbling. The organisers had divided this visual and aural spectacle into five separate compositions, which include sea, mountain and sky, and the images and music work seamlessly together: quiet and contemplative for instance, during scenes of flowers blooming and upping the tempo and volume when there’s footage of creatures mid predation and combat Many, many creature are represented here, from invertebrates to mammals to birds and deep sea organisms. The inclusion of a series of video on teeming humanity: the traffic and cities, serves as a good reminder of how we continue to encroach upon every other animal for space and natural resources.
Nested Sequence, National Geographic – Symphony for our World. Supplied.
The wildlife celebration is intercut with close-ups of the hard working orchestra and choir so you are reminded that they too are very much a part of this experience, not just background to the flora and fauna writ large on the screen before us. Short interviews too, of some of the main players in the exploration, photography and conservation game are shown. A highlight for me was to see some of the breathtakingly beautiful pictures taken from the National Geographic Photo Ark by Joel Satore. It’s a venture that aims to document every species currently living in captivity, sanctuaries and in the wild. If there is one take-home message of Symphony for Our World it’s this: we are all interconnected and there needs to be a balance between use and care of this planet. Everything we do as part of the human race affects other species on this planet so acknowledge this sobering fact and tread carefully.
4 stars ★★★★
National Geographic – Symphony for Our World
Composed by Bleeding Fingers Music
Symphony for Our World is officially licensed by National Geographic and produced by Jason Michael Paul Entertainment.
2 September 2018
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne
