Soundscape

An arts project at Artscope with participants exploring and making sound.

The group explored the concept of sound, the art of listening and were introduced to a rich variety of recorded sounds, experimental music and sonic art.

Composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass were explored alongside experimental music makers like Brian Eno and Laurie Anderson. The group also explored the unique natural sound recordings of sound recordist Chris Watson.

A series of recordings in the local environment were made to help put all the theory into practise. The group selected everyday sounds that they encountered, whether it be a passing train, birds singing, or in one case, a builder noisily repositioning a metal ladder!

Visual art workshops highlighted the cross-over between the art forms and encouraged the group to perceive sound from a visual perspective.

Basic sound recording equipment was used, a traditional tape machine and the sound software ‘Garageband’ on an Apple Mac, to produce the final sound piece, which was burnt to CD as a memento of the group's experiences.