80x35x20

Tokitae (Toh-Kee-Tay) (born c. 1966), also known as Lolita, was a female orca from the L Pod of southern resident orcas. She was in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium (Florida) from September 24, 1970, to August 18th, 2023, after she was captured and taken from her home in the Pacific Ocean. In 2023, Tokitae was the second oldest orca in captivity, and her enclosure (which was 80x35x20) was one of the smallest whale pens in the world. Tokitae lived in this space for over 53 years, many of which were spent alone, swimming in circles, over and over, as the bright inescapable Florida sun burned her skin. Tokitae died on August 18th, 2023 --- just months before she was scheduled to be released back to her home in the Pacific Northwest, at a protected sea sanctuary.

80x35x20 is written to tell Tokitae’s story. The story is split into 3 seamlessly connected parts. Part 1, “Free Tokitae”, listeners learn about her life in the ocean, free, swimming with her pod. Part 1 is the shortest of the 3 sections in order to represent how most of her life was not spent freely in the ocean where she belonged. Part 2, “Taken”, tells the story of Tokitae’s capturing. Tokitae was 1 of 7 whales captured from this violent event in August 1970. “Taken” is designed to recreate the events and feelings of that day from the perspective of Tokitae.  Part 3, named “Free Tokitae” tells the story of Tokitae’s life in her enclosure. This section showcases the isolation and angst that Tokitae experienced every day, for 53 years. The very end repeats the main melodic idea in the piano, over and over, fading away, to visualize Tokitae swimming circles in her tiny tank for eternity. One may notice part 1 and 3 are named the same. However, from beginning to end, these names hold vastly different meanings.

The story of Tokitae is absolutely heart wrenching, and is something I have known about since the age of 12.  I made this piece for Tokitae, but also as a wake-up call to the world; animals aren’t for our entertainment. Afterall, Tokitae’s story is just one of millions. As humans, it is our job to stand up for those without a voice, and to bring light to the very harsh realities of what we have done to the world and its other inhabitants. Ignorance is bliss, but not for the victims of these dark realities.

Rest in peace, Toki. You are finally free.