Nature as an Artist: Reconnecting Music with the Natural World

Speakers: Cathy Runciman (Earth Percent), Jinny Lyon (Biophonica & The Listening Planet), More TBA

Moderator: Greg Cochrane

This year, NATURE has been registered as an artist on various music streaming platforms. This panel brings together artists and innovators exploring music's role in rebuilding our bond with nature, offering practical solutions and inspiring ideas to reconnect creativity with the natural world.

About this program

Biologically, we are nature, and nature was the original muse—our first drawings, poems, and songs were inspired by its beauty. However, somewhere along the way, we lost that connection.

Music offers a unique and powerful way to rekindle our understanding of inter-being with the natural world. The term "nature" is often used in ways that create distance between humanity and the environment, reinforcing the idea that we are separate from it. By crediting birds, the ocean, rain or the rustle of leaves as artistic collaborators, we acknowledge their role in our creative processes.

Joining us is Cathy Runciman, co-executive director of EarthPercent, to discuss SoundsRight, a U.N.-partnered initiative crediting nature in songwriting to support biodiversity. Jinny Lyon from The Listening Planet, which houses 35,000 hours of environmental recordings, will share how to collaborate with nature in music creation. An electronic music artist (TBA) will share their perspective on integrating natural elements into their work. Expect engaging talks, deep insights, and a collaborative Q&A on questions as:

– How can redefining “nature” as part of us, rather than separate, help reconnect society with the environment?
– How can nature become a featured collaborator in modern music?
– What role can the global music community play in nature conservation?
– How can artists co-create with nature to inspire environmental action?

Who is this program for?

This session offers a creative look at how art and nature can join forces to protect our planet – join us if you work in art, culture, music or simply want to learn more about the intersection of music, technology, and nature conservation.

This program is part of ADE Green, please note that you need an ADE Pro or ADE Green ticket to join this program. For the full ADE Green program, please check here.