Draft:Takkuuk

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  • Comment: Two editors have separately reached the view this could be LLM written. There may well be notability and sourcing, but we best read about that from a human. ChrysGalley (talk) 10:41, 11 October 2025 (UTC)

Takkuuk

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Takkuuk (Inuktitut, pronounced tuck‑kook, meaning “look” or “observe closely”) is an immersive audio‑visual installation and original soundtrack project produced by Northern Irish electronic duo Bicep in collaboration with Arctic Indigenous artists. The project was devised and led by UK charity In Place of War through its climate action programme, EarthSonic..[1]. Takkuuk was created in partnership with visual artist Zak Norman, filmmaker Charlie Miller, and several Indigenous musicians from across the Arctic.

The project explores themes of climate change, cultural preservation, and Indigenous resilience, and premiered in London in July 2025 before embarking on an international tour[2][3].

Background and Development

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Takkuuk was initiated by In Place of War, a UK-based global charity that supports creative responses to conflict and crisis. Through its EarthSonic programme, the organisation invited Bicep to collaborate with Indigenous artists and respond musically to the accelerating climate emergency in the Arctic[4].

In April 2023, Bicep travelled to Greenland with In Place of War and EarthSonic, where they visited Russell Glacier and recorded natural soundscapes[5]. The experience served as a foundation for collaborative music-making, with Bicep producing track demos and sharing them with Indigenous vocalists.

Recording sessions took place in Reykjavík during Iceland Airwaves 2023, where all artists gathered to co-create the project under the musical direction of Bicep[6].

Concept and Themes

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The word Takkuuk means “look” in Inuktitut and encapsulates the project's dual mission: to observe the effects of the climate crisis and to shine a spotlight on Indigenous culture and creativity. The project features traditional throat singing, joik, spoken word, and other Indigenous vocal forms set against Bicep’s electronic production[7].

Visual artist Zak Norman and filmmaker Charlie Miller produced an accompanying set of immersive video vignettes featuring artists and landscapes, filmed across Greenland, Norway, and Iceland[8].

Premiere and Release

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Takkuuk premiered at Outernet London on 3 July 2025 with a full audio‑visual installation[9].

The original soundtrack was released digitally on 25 July 2025 by Ninja Tune in partnership with In Place of War and EarthSonic[10]

Track Listing

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  1. NUIJA & Bicep – Sikorsuit
  2. Niilas & Bicep – Alit
  3. Tarrak & Bicep – Taarsitillugu
  4. Andachan & Bicep – Aappoq
  5. NUIJA & Bicep – Qimuttoq
  6. Sebastian Enequist & Bicep – Alloriaqigit
  7. Silla & Bicep – Takkuuk
  8. NUIJA & Bicep – Aallartilerpoq
  9. Katarina Barruk & Bicep – Dárbbuo
  10. NUIJA & Bicep – Nipaassuseq

Collaborators

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Lead artists:

  • Bicep – Music producers
  • In Place of War – Creative lead
  • Zak Norman – Visual installation designer
  • Charlie Miller – Filmmaker

Featured vocalists and musicians:

  • Katarina Barruk (Sweden/Sápmi)
  • Andachan (Greenland)
  • Sebastian Enequist (Norway)
  • Tarrak (Greenland)
  • NUIJA (Greenland)
  • Niilas (Norway)
  • Silla (Canada)

Tour and Screenings

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Following its London premiere, Takkuuk was programmed for exhibitions and performances at:

  • Wintercircus, Ghent
  • Linecheck Festival, Milan
  • Deep Space, Oulu
  • Nuuk Snow Festival, Greenland
  • Arctic Sounds Festival, Sisimiut
  • Ulster Museum, Belfast
  • Ars Electronica, Linz

Critical Reception

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Takkuuk received critical acclaim for its innovative cross-cultural collaboration and climate storytelling.

  • The Guardian called the project “too powerful to ignore”[11].
  • The Line of Best Fit and NME highlighted its focus on Indigenous artists[12][13].
  • Billboard praised its commentary on the Arctic climate emergency[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Outlook: Bicep – Sounds of the Melting North". BBC Radio 4. BBC. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  2. ^ "Bicep collaborate with Indigenous artists in the Arctic region on new soundtrack, Takkuuk". DJ Mag. 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  3. ^ "Bicep unveil immersive AV installation and soundtrack 'Takkuuk'". Resident Advisor. 2025-06-25. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  4. ^ "Bicep collaborate with Indigenous artists with new project Takkuuk". The Line of Best Fit. 2025-06-27. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  5. ^ "Dance duo Bicep on making an album in Greenland: 'It was too powerful to ignore'". The Guardian. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  6. ^ "Bicep – Takkuuk". Arcana.fm. 2025-06-17. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  7. ^ "Bicep to release Takkuuk soundtrack and installation featuring Arctic Indigenous artists". Electronic Groove. 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  8. ^ "BICEP unveil soundtrack for immersive Indigenous Arctic installation TAKKUUK". Skiddle. 2025-07-03. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  9. ^ "Bicep's 'Takkuuk': A Story of Collaboration, Identity, and the Melting Arctic". Crack Magazine. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  10. ^ "Album reviews: Bicep, Fever Ray, Folk Bitch Trio and more". Nialler9. 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  11. ^ "Dance duo Bicep on making an album in Greenland: 'It was too powerful to ignore'". The Guardian. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  12. ^ "Bicep Interview – Takkuuk, Indigenous Arctic musicians & climate change". NME. 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  13. ^ "Bicep search for true north". The Line of Best Fit. 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  14. ^ "Bicep interview on Takkuuk and the climate emergency". Billboard. 2025-07-23. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
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Category:Soundtrack albums Category:2025 albums Category:Electronic music albums Category:Art installations Category:Climate change and the arts Category:Collaborative projects