GROWTH is an experimental 360° narration, juxtaposing the balance, unity and finitude of natural growth with the infinite growth paradigm, that modern economies and societies are build upon. Surrounded by binaural soundscapes of a South Pacific rainforest, users follow the soothing presence of a blue whale through an abstract landscape of color, light and shadow, that is increasingly dominated by the towering skylines of today’s global financial capitals and the pressure of a continually ascending Shepard Tone. By contrasting the biological „end of growth“ with the economic „endless growth”, the project aims to illustrate the inherent contradiction of what we are made of and part of, with what we have build and seemingly depend on.

It has been a great honour to provide sound recordings for Paul’s special project. He is an exceptional artist and thinker. This VR project contains my best ambiences from nature and civilisation, recorded with the ORTF 3D microphone array. The eight-channel arrangement of this setup is particularly flexible for immersive media.

Thank you, Paul!