In a culture dominated by visual stimuli, the cultivation of listening skills often takes a backseat — yet through listening we can engage with and understand our environments in unique and powerful ways. By practicing active listening, we can connect with our surroundings more holistically. This act of listening can expand our perception, inform our spatial, ecological, and political awareness, and provide space to reflect on the passage of time.
In this 3-week course, we will use our ears to unfold a series of intentional, multi-sensory listening exercises that culminate in the creation of a sound walk. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Pauline Oliveros, Tarek Atoui, Hildegard Westerkamp, Francisco López, and Christina Kubisch, we will expand auditory awareness through durational exercises that incorporate drawing, movement, sounding, and learning how to direct our listening attention. You’ll also learn how to use basic recording tools and audio tour software.
The course will culminate in a public listening event, where participants can engage with audio tours in person through headphones via the guided audio tour software Echoes.
Led by composer, sound technologist, archivist, and researcher Anastasia Clarke.