Being Heard (2004) sound installation and 8-channel performance version, 'Tingull, Maungira, Aawaaz' (12'00)

Date
2004-04-01
Authors
Atkinson, Simon
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
ISSN
DOI
Volume Title
Publisher
Peer reviewed
Abstract
Description
A research and community arts project with two key research imperatives: - How can one meaningfully integrate multiple individual artistic contributions from participants drawn from the culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds typical of Leicester (or other city), to develop further in the traditional sense of the ‘composer’, and the notion of ‘professional’ art in a professional arts venue? Can multiple uses of material generated through community arts processes, and differing ‘levels’ of outcomes, help to answer this question? - How can music technologies maximise the impact of the content and context of the project, and site-specific requirements of commissioning venue? Bespoke ‘systems’ needed to be developed. ‘Being Heard’ applies techniques developed during my PhD in a community context. It was commissioned by Phoenix Arts and received financial support from East Midlands Development Agency. The concept of the project was mine. The project’s realisation was assisted by John Richards (DMU outreach coordinator), Emily Belcham (Phoenix Arts education officer), and Karen Pirie (webmaster, BBC Leicester). The ‘project aimed to capture language spoken in Leicester. Poem and prose contributions were recorded by over 100 school children (who had first languages other than English or frequently spoken second languages) to a pool of material founded on soundscape studies approaches. Current issues of citizenship and diversity were addressed. Outcomes: - Multichannel sound installation running at Phoenix Arts (ca. 300 miniature loudspeakers in handmade system), April 1st – 4th 2004 - New revised version of installation presented at invitation of Soundcircus, Sonic Arts Network conference, Leicester, June 11th-14th 2004 - Archive of children's contributions hosted by BBC at http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/sense_of_place/2004/being_heard/being_heard.shtml - Daily radio broadcasts (BBC Radio Leicester) on project (including selected materials) 29/3/04-2/4/04 - Tingull, Maungira, Aawaaz (8-channel acousmatic music) produced using some of the project material and premiered at Soundings festival, Edinburgh, 2nd May 2004
Keywords
RAE 2008, UoA 67 Music
Citation
Atkinson, S. (2004) 'Being Heard'
Research Institute
Music, Technology and Innovation - Institute for Sonic Creativity (MTI2)