Ruthless Jabiru: The Holy Presence Of

Chamber orchestra Ruthless Jabiru and digital score pioneers Decibel New Music Ensemble combined forces for an immersive musical show inspired by the unholy presence of climate change in the Welsh coastal town of Fairbourne. Following heavy storms and tidal surges in 2014 Gwynedd County Council controversially announced it would no longer repair Fairbourne’s flood defences indefinitely and with the projected rise in sea levels, the village will no longer be inhabitable from 2054. Ruthless Jabiru brought us in to collaborate due to our shared values and experience lighting listed buildings and historic spaces.

Set in the atmospheric tunnel shaft at the Brunel Museum, our lighting highlighted the organic shapes and natural features within the walls of the tunnel shaft. We primarily used cool colours to create an under-water feel, in contrast to the warm lighting used to illuminate the orchestra. Our fleet of water effect lights added a little extra magic, creating subtle sense of motion and texture in the space. This important performance was designed to raise awareness and to resist both the threat of the rising seas and the apathy of the state towards people’s lives in the face of climate change.