BOOM BOOM BEES / BOOM BOOM BARNS is a pair of all-ages, leave no trace sonic land arts events to be held on May 23, 2026 outside of Athens, GA, and Swannanoa, NC in November, which will host many live performances and temporary multimedia installations across many acres.
Both events draw inspiration from seasonal shifts, agri-CULTURAL practices, turf mazes, the climate of sight, time streams, resonant frequencies, vibrational tendencies, bird’s eye views, and our everchanging landscape.
The weather is always our collaborator.
Together, we will activate, curate and participate in a temporal study of these landscapes, inviting multigenerational participation from all artists, musicians, and children of all ages and all mediums and all experience EVERYWHERE- clubs, groups, gardeners, soil scientists, historians, farmers, entomologists, dancers, students, mentors, and you!
BOOM BOOM BEES
An ambient farm stroll drawing inspiration from utopian experiments attempted and imagined, bee communication + architecture, community radio, and cooperative and adaptive behaviors observed across life forms. Together, we will explore the ways we relate to our built environment, each other, and ourselves through the lens of contemplative socioentomology. The day will include many multimedia installations, live musical performances, Observations From Very Near & Far Distances, and Lessons from Pollinators, culminating in a Sunset Surprise lantern parade through the forest and back again.
In conjunction later this fall:
BOOM BOOM BARNS
In collaboration with WWC Art & Craft Department, this ambient farm stroll will activate 5 acres of beautiful barnscape as stages, projection surfaces and multimedia installation spaces, inviting deep discourse on climate consciousness and intra-disciplinary cross-pollination as we rotationally graze the atmospheric fields.
ARTISTS OF ALL DISCIPLINES are encouraged to EXPRESS THEIR INTERESTS, concepts, and dreams
via a brief outline that describes the project, including collaborating artists, and articulates how the project connects to any of the following: bee communication + architecture, community radio, cooperative and adaptive behaviors observed across life forms, seasonal shifts, agri-CULTURAL practices, turf mazes, the climate of sight, time streams, resonant frequencies, vibrational tendencies, bird’s eye views, tractor square dances, the dawn chorus, corn, tree dialects, spider webs, circular drift, geologic time, straw bales, boom boxes, chill hours, legumes, sweet potatoes, horses, mycelial music, vernacular architecture, plant growth, animal health, and bat ecosystems, and our everchanging landscape.
be sure to include logistical details including how you plan to install within the landscape, accessibility and tech/av needs. We have very limited resources so no promises, but we will do our best to support as many projects as possible!
For questions please email swannatopia@gmail.com.
Please note that these are leave-no-trace events held on working farms.
All projects that cannot be composted on-site must be completely removed the day after the event.
ABSOLUTELY NO GLITTER!
Wanna participate in a different way?
Join one of two EXPERIMENTAL Art CLUBS that will showcase community efforts together.
BEE HOUSE - ceramic buckets and trinkets to build and furnish a honeybee happening- THink about ways to BEE together - what makes your living space a “good Vibe” - Lighting? Couches? Knooks and Crannies? "make it for the bees"
ALSO VENTURE INTO BEE COMMUNICATION
as we create our very own version of a WAGGLE Dance?!
inspired by figure 8s
square dancing
community radio
...and more!