Using sounds and visuals collected in collaboration with OIST's Marine Climate Change Unit, for Expo Osaka 2025 we created an immersive sound and visual experience that took users under the seas and into the jungles of Okinawa.

The experience begins under the sea, and creates interactions with several endangered and rare species of Okinawan marine life.

We worked with Cyrus James Khan to reproduce anatomically accurate representations of these in action, along with the native flora found under the shallow, transparent-blue seas that surround the main island, and the deep subtropical rainforests in Yambaru.

The bed of sound underneath includes Okinawan harmonies we composed using samples of vocalist NOTEP, and recordings made on location at Okinawa's sea and forest, which are placed in the 3D spectrum of the listener, and can be enjoyed with a headset to fully dive in to the sound and visual.

Okinawa Dugong: [an endangered marine animal species designated as a natural monument by the government of Japan]

Okinawa Lionfish: [Its dorsal fin and pectoral fins are long and beautiful; however, it has strong venom and is a dangerous animal to touch]

Tomato Anemonefish aka Clownfish: [the tomato anemonefish is the most abundant of its kind found in the Ryukyu islands]

Yanbaru Long Armed Scarab Beetle: [A classified National Natural Monument, only found in Okinawa's main island's vast Yanbaru National Park; Japan's largest beetle has long, powerful front legs, and scuttles around in the large trees feeding on natural wood chippings]

Ishikawa’s Frog: Masters of camouflage with a threatened habitat; they blend in with damp moss and leaves. They live only in the Yanbaru National Park's forest, near mountain streams; hiding in cracks and crevices in rocks

Ryukyu Rail: A flightless bird found only in and around the Yanbaru Forest on Okinawa Island, which has a bright-red bill, curving white head stripe, and black-and-white striping. The rail is known to forage around the forest floor in groups or pairs, with prolific calls heard at dawn, dusk and by night

OIST Sonic Lab: Okinawa VR Experience Soundtrack

OIST Sonic Lab: Okinawa VR Experience Soundtrack [for Expo Osaka 2025]

Nick Luscombe + James Greer + NOTEP

OIST Sonic Lab: Okinawa VR Experience Soundtrack [for Expo Osaka 2025]
Nick Luscombe + James Greer [MSCTY_Studio] ft. NOTEP

Using materials recorded in and around Okinawa, our soundtrack serves to heighten the experience of being under water and in the deep jungles by imitating their sonic worlds, blending them with Ryukyu harmony, and working with environmentally-engaged vocalist and musician NOTEP, whose voice appears to be moving through the warm ocean and winds.

The full experience with visuals is a collaboration with Cyrus James Khan.