Odile Barlier

Odile Barlier is a multidisciplinary artist who works with water as both instrument and partner. She listens to it, makes it sing through aquatic flutes, records it, transforms it into percussion, paints and photographs it, and collaborates with scientists to better understand and protect it.

Trained in classical dance, fine arts, and Afro-Cuban percussion, she was initiated into hands-on aquatic percussion (AKUTUK) by Zongo Lois, performing internationally across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Alongside her performances, Odile develops a pedagogical approach centered on sensory intelligence through her project La Cabane à Ouïr, engaging audiences of all ages in deep listening and embodied connection.

It was thanks to Perrine Angly that I met the musical artist Odile Barlier. Odile came to play with water during the Aquamour gatherings in Brittany. She clapped her hands in the water as if playing percussion, creating a magnificent sound that she accompanied with her melodious voice. She also read texts about water. I remember the look on the children’s faces as they sat in front of her, fascinated by the aquatic movements and sounds she created. It was a wonderful discovery of a technique that is still passed down from mother to daughter in certain parts of our planet! Thank you to Odile for giving water a voice, as if it were a living being, and allowing us to take a fresh look at the message of water.  – B. Albasio