NooN is collaborating with Thai sound artist Arnont Nongyao, supported by a British Council International Collaboration Grant. Inspired by mycelium in caves in two UNESCO Global Geoparks (UK / Thailand), the project process will uncover the rhizomatic ecological and cultural threads that connect us across the globe. The year long project will culminate in high quality contemporary installation and immersive performance works for public audiences, in cultural venues and cave spaces in Oct 2025. A digital concept album will engage large online audiences and provide legacy project documentation.

In which we describe a little bit about what we are up to.

Arnont Nongyao and Atikom Mukdaprakorn exchange visit to the UK took place in April 2025 at Kents Cavern over 2 weeks. Emilio, Ric, Clare & Arnont spent time in the cave after dark, and in the dark, listening, capturing images, sounds and sensations. We were joined by NooN artistic collaborators: Willa Faulkner, Kelly Bryant and Donald Craigie; to experiment with elements of narrative, movement, visual imagery & projection, composition and music improvisation. We worked with the team at Kents Cavern to deliver a Super Sensing workshop for young people and their families, using low tech sensors (made, with the help of Arnont, by the young people) and capturing imprints from nature in clay and as rubbings. During this visit we also connected with many partners and creatives including: English Riveiera UNESCO Global Geopark; Wild Planet Trust; Kents Cavern; Royal Albert Memorial Museum; Exeter University Arts & Culture; Breaking Convention 2025.

In May 2025 NooN went on an exchange visit in Thailand. The visit included time exploring Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, several caves (Tham Le Stegadon; Tham Phu Pha Phet; Tham Urai Thong); and meeting with the indigenous Orang Asli people. Following this we were based at Art Residency Thailand, in Chiang Mai; and spent time experimenting to create new collaborative work, delivered workshops with students at PREM International School, shared an improvised performance at Thapae East, visited cultural centres, and met with our Thai partners.

Returning to the UK we led events as part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Festival May 2025; including a Super Sensing workshop with families at Paignton Zoo. We were also part of an international conversation about being in a state of not knowing; with artists, scientists, educators and conservationists. We also invited people to visit our virtual cave, to explore the terrain and discover and leave objects.

Throughout the project NooN and Arnont are also collaborating online in a virtual cave. We send each other literal black boxes with unexplained objects and provocations. We open these in a ritual online space in the twilight hours between our time zones. The contents are an invitation to play and be curious together; bringing our beginners mind to the collaboration space. As the project progresses the digital space continues to morph and change offering different possibilities for exchange and collaboration, including hybrid digital/live performances as well as an online exhibition space.

This project is about being in the dark and we are learning about the transformational possibilities that being in this state of radical openness can have on creative practice, offering new ways of being that might support us to live through these challenging and uncertain times.

We are really enjoying the ride! We hope you will join us on the journey.