Paul Rooney’s sound piece, Song (After Nature) was commissioned by National Trust to offer an opportunity for visitors to experience Lindisfarne Castle in a completely different way.

“The words of a siren song (the Homeric sirens sang irresistible songs, from a bone scattered meadow, that resulted in death for any sailors who heard them), which is a ‘translation’ of the seal’s calls. The song tries to lure the reader in, like an advert, offering knowledge (the deadly price for this leaks out at the end). The song’s knowledge is a warning, of the future of the climate catastrophe, where nature is merely a remembered presence, a ghost” – Paul Rooney

Paul’s immersive sound piece was installed in the castle’s Upper Gallery. Seal calls and other natural sounds of the Holy Island landscape – recorded by legendary sound recordist Chris Watson – were transcribed into a richly layered cello composition created with cellist Gyda Valtysdottir. This immersive sound piece was installed within the Lindisfarne Castle ‘music room’ with accompanying objects, and a projected text that aimed to ‘translate’ the seal song as a playful yet grave warning of climate catastrophe.

“The songs of seals – or are they sirens luring sailors to their deaths? – haunt this fortress in a sound installation that exploits its seashore setting. Lindisfarne Castle looks too good to be true, a citadel on a lofty rock, and is in fact an Edwardian fake. Explore it to Rooney’s soundtrack.” – Jonathan Jones, the Guardian

5 March – 30 October 2022

Lindisfarne Castle is a 16th-century castle located on Holy Island that was converted by famed architect Sir Edwin Lutyens into a private holiday home for Edward Hudson, founder of Country Life magazine.