interesting new project by Martin Hogg - guide books to sounds of certain places:
This project came about during my residency in Umeå, Sweden, from late 2010 to early 2012. The initial idea developed from extensive field recordings taken during this period. This is the first in a set of publications designed to encourage exploration and develop deeper awareness of the soundscape around us, our acoustic environment, and our place within it.
‘Ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment. Acoustic ecology is therefore the study of sounds in relationship to life and society. This cannot be accomplished by remaining in the laboratory. It can only be accomplished by considering on location the effects of the acoustic environment on the creatures living in it.’
(R. Murray Schafer - 'The Soundscape. Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of The World')
As a visitor to Umeå, I was able to approach this project with ‘new ears’. It is widely known that your ears are more aware and alert when you find yourself in an unfamiliar environment. With this in mind, the sonic sites selected for this first issue may not be the sites you may first have expected to encounter. This particular collection of Umeå's 'sonic sites' is by no means exhaustive, but merely the smallest tip of an enormous iceberg.
This publication strives to cover a number of different objectives. This book is designed firstly, as an alternative, sonic tourist guide. Focusing the ears with an aim to promote the delights of deeper listening, this publication is a 'sonic treasure hunt' of sorts, whilst simultaneously serving as an introduction to the art of 'sound hunting'. By default, it then becomes an opportunity to address some key concepts based within the field of acoustic ecology. It brings to light certain issues, and highlights responsibilities of ours, regarding our direct influence on the sonic environment.
The common denominator throughout this planned series of publications is, simply put, the act of listening.
This project is intended as an open project and so all future submissions are welcomed and will be considered for future issues.
An online database of ‘sonic sites’ will be made available on the website.
For further information on this, and other works by Martin Hogg:
email: info@infinitebaffle.co.uk
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