ISRO Workshop: February 13-15th 2018
Location: 3D SoundLab
Viv Corringham and Cathy Lane
Deep Listening
Thoughts on Listening
What is sound and how do we experience it? Can we listen differently to the sounds that compose the environments of daily life? How is sound a way of knowing and understanding?
In this three-day workshop led by Cathy Lane and Viv Corringham, participants were taught new techniques for understanding and engaging with sound, much of which arises from the everyday, environment. Where these sounds are derived from is irrelevant. More importantly is how we encounter and listen to them: the natural or built environment is irrelevant--the question is how to listen without predisposed judgement.
The workshop was structured into listening exercises and informal lectures introducing the deep listening techniques of Pauline Oliveros, field recordings, and musique concrète. Attention was given to more technical aspects of recording and playing, such as ambisonic theory and setting up multi-channel speakers. Participants were mentored as they pursued their own sound projects.
Day I: February 13th 2018
Morning
Introduction to Viv Corringham and Cathy Lane.
Introduction to Pauline Oliveros and Deep listening.
Exercise 1: Guided breathing as sound awareness (conceived of by Pauline Oliveros)
Exercise 2: Guided sound walk with Viv
Afternoon
Introductions among participants and goals of the workshop
Individual listening and field recordings from the city.
Day II: February 14th 2018
Morning
Introduction to ambisonic sound with Mr. Umashankar
Exercise 1: Walk event (conceived of by George Brecht 1968)
Exercise 2: Via | Piazza (conceived of by Viv Cunningham)
Afternoon
Listening to Exercise 1 and 2 as recorded by Mr. Umashankar on 3DLab’s 36 channel speakers.
Listening to recordings made by participants. Comments and suggestions for how to take this work further.
Exercise 3: Global and local (conceived of by Pauline Oliveros)
Day III: February 15th 2018
Morning
Guided sound meditation
Cathy Lane performance: Am I here?
Viv Corringham performance: Shattered Song, Shadow City
Afternoon
Mentored project work and discussion
Exercise 1: Guided breathing as sound awareness (2nd time) (conceived of by Pauline Oliveros)