Sounding Out: Tracking Secret Sounds of the City

On Saturday I ran a workshop as part of the ongoing exhibition Sounding Out. The workshop was also inspired by the upcoming World Listening Day.

A nice sized group of enthusiastic sound-ista’s turned up – thank you Bag Factory :).

I introduced the group to a range of simple listening tools such as bottles to use as resonators for listening to vibration. Then we set off to explore the surrounding Fordsburg neighbourhood to search for hidden and unexpected sounds.

tapping a tree branch and listening for vibrations

listening to a metal sign for car noise and other urban vibrations

We made beaters by covering the handle end of a chopstick with clear rubber tubing. Thus armed we started exploring surfaces.

playing a security gate using chopstick beaters

playing a number 🙂

listening and playing

playing and squeaking a turnstile sign frame

We ended off with a session of surface playing by running and dragging a chopstick at different speeds.

using chopsticks to activate a window burglar grilling

One of the participants created a blog post about the workshop. Have a look here for more pictures and thoughtful insights.