Forgotten Songs

As you walk along Angel Place, look up and listen closely to appreciate the artwork right above you, created by Michael Thomas Hill. These 120 birdcages were installed here in 2009, as part of a temporary project aimed at bringing life and energy to the streets of Sydney. Several other art installations appeared in the city center for a limited time, but this one was so popular with both locals and visitors that it was kept in place, even after the project ended. The birdcages symbolise the numerous bird species that lived here before the arrival of settlers in the 18th century. These birds were then forced to migrate elsewhere due to the construction of the growing metropolis. Here, you can hear the songs of fifty different species that inhabited this area centuries ago. That’s why the artwork is called Forgotten Songs. To this day, the name and inspiration of this artwork continues to resonate with both residents and tourists!