An ensemble of curious metal horns appear to be growing out of the ground, and reveal the hidden sounds from the surrounding environment. The Horns have appeared in many locations, including revealing the underwater sounds of wetlands, bogs and rivers, and more recently a chance to listen to a decomposing reed pile, where they horns amplified the subtle rustles, cracks, and hums of decomposition. Each horn resonated with its own unique tone, inviting visitors to listen closely to lifeforms thriving within decay.

The Horns at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve as part of ‘Listen to the Voices of the Fen‘ 2025.

Below are some photos of the Horns amplifying the underwater sounds of the River Tern at National Trust Attingham Park, with watery compositions created in collaboration with young people from ‘Reach for Inclusion’ Shrewsbury. Photos taken by Chris Warrender

The Listening Horns are a development of a commission created for Cryptic 2019 for ‘Below the Blanket’ in 2019 which followed a residency at the Flow Country, Scotland, the largest area of blanket bog in Europe.