* Coastal SoundLab
Fulwell Windmill, Sunderland
15 - 19 June 2024
EDAN Gallery, Seaham
5-11 August 2024
Hartlepool Art Gallery
19 - 24 August 2024
Coastal SoundLab is a project that reimagines the heritage sites of First World War sound mirrors through sound and technology.
In 2024 SoundLab visited venues at the sites of three sound mirrors on the North East coast, hosting a summer of events and workshops that explore our changing coastal landscapes, and peoples' relationships to them.
Artist Rob Smith worked with local communities and partner organisations delivering a program of workshops and events that included; sound walks, 3D modelling, sharing local histories, and using technology to hear the landscape in new ways and record sounds that can contribute to the artwork.
The artwork created invites people to record environmental sounds using their mobile devices which then animates a 3D model of sound mirror. The sound file recorded is combined with environmental sound data and other sounds in the database, creating a unique set of movements and sound each time the work is viewed. To access the database of sounds and contribute to the artwork click here or follow the link to the online SoundLab below.
SoundLab: Online
Open the online SoundLab to record environmental sounds that contribute to the Soundmirror artwork or just browse the database of recordings that people have generated and view the artwork on your screen.
open online SoundLab
Rob collaborated with sound artist and composer Shelly Knotts to create the programming for the SoundLab artwork, using granular synthesis to process and sample the audio files and create the unique sonic compositions that are heard when you interact with it.
Coastal SoundLab was commissioned by Suzy O’Hara for CoLab Sunderland University for Seascapes Partnership, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to inspire agency, advocacy and responsibility for maintaining the health and sustainability of our coastline.
