To begin this project, I’ve thought of the places in the world that mean the most to me and the places I have the nicest memories of. I think it’s particularly interesting to do this project during our third, and hopefully final, lockdown. Simply because the places I have chosen to revisit through remembered sounds, are places that I can no longer visit, at least for the time being. I am able to cherish the memories I have of these places through photographs, but this project is a chance for me to travel back in time to snapshots of happiness in my life while truly appreciating the sounds that bring these places to life and makes them real.
My first memory to dissect is that of Neal’s Yard in London. I have lovely memories of this spot purely because of it’s vibrant colours and bustling atmosphere, something I’d never thought of as a thing to take for granted. Neal’s Yard is fascinating as it’s a fairly quiet courtyard in the centre the capital of the UK, so the sounds from outside the walls can be heard in the distance, but Neal’s Yard somehow remains guarded from the hectic buzz of London. I think this would be an interesting soundscape to map for this reason, I’d like to see how I could map the idea of sound almost breaking in to an almost secluded place.
~ coffee shop noises, cups clinking, machines whirring ~ bustling ~ vibrant colours echoing busy atmosphere ~ indistinct chatter ~ creaking of shop doors ~ chatter growing louder as you enter the courtyard ~ trees swaying ~ shoes clacking on the ground ~
The second place I’d like to explore is the James Simon Park in Berlin. I went interrailing with my friends almost two years ago and this park remains one of my favourite memories from the trip. It’s central spot in the city didn’t take away from its stillness, something I found confusing due to the number of people sitting on the grass near us. The general atmosphere was the thing that made it peaceful, lots of groups of people playing cards, listening to nearby buskers and enjoying each other’s company.
~ busker playing the saxophone ~ occasional above ground trains driving past ~ indistinct chatter ~ laughter ~ noises from boats passing on the river ~ sound of moving water ~ berlin cathedral bells ~ bike bells, sound of bike tyres on the road ~
The final place I’ve chosen to map the sounds of is the home of family friends in Barcelona. They live in a fifth floor apartment very close to the centre of Barcelona, but due to it’s height, the bustle of the city can be only be heard in the distance and is more of a quiet buzz. Sounds of traffic can be heard below, occasional car horns and alike, but only when the windows are open. At night, the distant hum of Barcelona’s nightlife can be heard, along with the sound of air conditioning units on the outsides of other buildings. Inside, the sounds of cooking are always in the background, chopping and simmering and sizzling, along with the quiet rotation of the Getz/Gilberto lp in the background, traveling from the far end of the open plan living room/kitchen. The intermittent rustle of the leaves of houseplants when a breeze come through the window.
~ sound of records spinning ~ cooking sounds ~ cat’s paws tapping on the floor ~ air conditioning units ~ distant traffic ~ distant city buzz ~ warm breezes ~
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