David Monacchi's Fragments of Extinction Records Dying Ecosystems

David Monacchi, an eco-acoustic composer and professor at the Conservatorio Gioacchino Rossini in Pesaro, has spent over fifteen years recording the soundscapes of primary equatorial forests for his project Fragments of Extinction. The project, initiated in 1998, captures entire circadian cycles within five degrees north and south of the Equator, using highly sensitive 3D audio recording technology. Monacchi's work combines technological, scientific, and artistic domains to create immersive listening experiences in museums. The recordings document the acoustic signatures of evolution and biodiversity, including sounds from endangered species. Monacchi aims to raise awareness about the Sixth Mass Extinction, noting that according to the International Union Conservation of Nature, an average of four animal species disappear every hour due to human activity. The project includes an Eco-acoustic Theatre designed in 2009 for immersive spherical listening, with a mobile version called Sonosphere set to open in April in Pesaro, a UNESCO City of Music. Monacchi's ethical commitment extends to designing spaces where audiences can experience both recorded and live transmissions from primary forests via satellite, fostering a sense of temporal ubiquity. The work redefines artistic heritage by including natural sounds as intangible cultural heritage.