THE ENORMOUS RADIO (2026 Premiere)
Ever wondered what the animals around us are saying? With the weight of human-made climate grief on our shoulders it’s no wonder we’re irresistibly drawn to the possibility of understanding other life-forms. The Enormous Radio asks, what if we could tune into the non-human, the endangered and the wild for guidance on the greatest moral and ethical issue of our times?
The Enormous Radio draws on wildlife field recordings, machine learning, techno-spiritualism, voice enhancers and translation software in an attempt to decode unanticipated interspecies communications. This theatrical audio installation invites audiences to experience a playful encounter with a chorus of sentient radios. A séance of machine-mediums that can receive uncanny messages from the animal world… The work operates as a 360-degree audio-hive, featuring a ramshackle circle of haunted radios with glowing panels and animated aerials, as well as an unseen surround-speaker system beyond the circle – allowing the audio-world to dramatically expand and contract. The work is suited to a gallery space, black-box studio or evocative found site. The audience experience takes the form of six haunted animal transmissions for up to 15 participants at a time. The work runs for 45mins and is designed to run hourly on rotation.
As acoustic ecologists harness the power of digital technologies and machine learning to bring us ever closer to the possibility of ‘speaking with animals’, the work offers a delightful peak through this portal, as well as asking us to ponder the human impact of this new frontier of interspecies communication.
Over the last 3years, we’ve built and tested a proof-of-concept prototype (through FRAME DocLab 2024), undertaken second-stage concept development (at a 2025 Bundanon Residency) and two creative developments (Substation Feb 2026) and through the Abbotsford Convent artist residency program (March-June 2026). Essential to our forward planning is a desire to connect with presenters interested in unique immersive experiences, machine-learning and climate-responsive themes. Please contact Roslyn Oades to learn more.
Promo still by Sarah Walker
CREATIVE TEAM
Director/concept: Roslyn Oades
Sound artist/co-creator: Bob Scott
Text Dramaturg & Stills: Sarah Walker
Technology Design: Kevan Atkins
Production Design: Jenny Hector
Technician & Antenna Designer: Sam King
Additional Technicians: Kurt Medenbach & Michelle Nguyen
Prototype design & tech consultant: Bob Jarvis (Zeal.co)
Production Management: Option 2 Design & Management
Produced by: Chamber Made
Premiere Co-presented by: The Substation, Chamber Made & Melbourne Fringe
Project mentor: Helgard Haug (Rimini Protokoll)
Field recordists: Marc Andersen, Peter Albrechtsen, Howard Plowright, David Magrath, Dr Brian Millar, Dr Nigel Jackett, Andrew Skeoch & Fred van Gessel
PRoject ENQUIRIES
Please direct initial enquiries to Roslyn Oades>>
PRESENTATION HISTORY
2026: Premiere Season, The Substation, Melbourne Fringe, 30 Sept-10 Oct (12pm-9pm)
2024: FRAME Documentary Showcase at MIFF, 22 Aug, ACMI, MELBOURNE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to: Bert Steven’s our favourite valve radio expert, the Australian Wildlife Sound Recording Group, the Australian Antarctic Division and all the field recordists who have allowed us to feature their beautiful wildlife recordings in this work. The Enormous Radio has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, FRAME DOCUMENTARY & VicScreen, Bundanon, Voltage (Substation & Chamber Made initiative), Robert Salzer Foundation, Abbotsford Convent Foundation and Melbourne Fringe Festival.
