These extraterrestrial sonic environments traverse the intersection of environmentalism, traditional sound healing teachings from the Ottomans and their connection to the cosmos.

The Makam (musical scales for sound healing) were played in hospitals during the Ottoman era to treat physical and mental health issues. The sounds claim to heal anything from paralysis, to gout and malaria as well as encourage feelings of bravery and humbleness, inspiring mystical feelings and a unification with nature.

The sound vibrations of each Makam were seen as a reflection of the celestial bodies, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus and Earth. Celestial bodies were believed to have counterparts in the human body. Seeing human beings as a part of Universal harmony, attaining harmony between the body and the soul through the Makams led to health.

VENUS

“Venus is the second planet from the Sun and our closest planetary neighbor. Similar in structure and size to Earth, Venus spins slowly in the opposite direction from most planets. Its thick atmosphere traps heat in a runaway greenhouse effect, making it the hottest planet in our solar system. Venus' atmosphere consists mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid droplets. The thick atmosphere traps the Sun's heat, resulting in surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead, 471°C. Glimpses below the clouds reveal thousands of volcanoes and deformed mountains. As Venus moves forward in its solar orbit while slowly rotating backwards on its axis, the top level of clouds zips around the planet every four Earth days, driven by hurricane-force winds traveling at about 360 km per hour. Lightning bursts light up these quick-moving clouds, the atmosphere is so heavy it would feel like you were 1.6 km deep underwater.” - NASA

Venus’ Makam is Zengûle. Zengûle is traditionally associated with the sign of Virgo, the air element, it is hot-humid in nature and masculine. It inculcates secrets, inspires the imagination and induces feelings related to fairy tales (dark ones in this case). Most effective after dusk and on Fridays.

Generative, mangled, manipulated and modulated bass clarinet, contrabassoon, double bass, Kabak Kemane (Turkish spike fiddle), volcano eruption sounds and synthesizer.

So similar to Earth, Venus is an ominous warning of the dangers of taking our atmosphere for granted. Sometimes healing hurts.

Acknowledgement of Country

I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I play and live, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nations. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.