When Charles Darwin traveled to the Galapagos Islands he discovered distinct endemic animal species that had adapted to their unique island environment.  This played a pivotal role in the development on his theory of natural selection. Other scientists followed and gathered evidence; all the birds on one island were ringed and observed over years. It became apparent that even incorrectly learned songs play a part in species formation. In her sound mutation, Antje Vowinckel simulates an ornithological discussion on the long-term effects these deviating songs could have.

The emergence of species in which the ornithologist Frank Steinheimer refers in the piece proceeds with a series of sound mutations, ultimately creating a radio hybrid that will not reproduce as a new species…

 

Featuring Frank D. Steinheimer, ornithologist at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Production of the radio version: SWR 2017, length: approx. 36 minutes
Realization and composition: Antje Vowinckel
Archived recordings: www.macaulylibrary.org

 

Antje Vowinckel (DE) is a sound and radio artist. She produces sound compositions, audio plays, performances and installations. Call me yesterday is one of her best known works. She installed inside-out in 2017 in the historic city center of Bucharest.