Thursday

Scenic Listening

With "All Feet"

After climbing a tree, a mountain or even stairs up a tower, the breathtaking views available to us make the panting and pain all worthwhile. An experience such as this can be elevated further with the addition of music, just as songs heighten emotions in movies. By adding a soundtrack to everyday or even historic places, we can transform the way we perceive them. A current project in Seattle, WA uses this gesture as a statement against noise pollution and allows us to concentrate on the beautiful and subtle sounds that are muffled by the city.

The Volunteer Park Water Tower Project, created by Robb Kunz and the Audible Semaphore Group, uses the 360 degree views of Seattle from the 1906 water tower in Volunteer Park to present and perform for us the daily sounds that our ears cannot detect. For this project, a playlist was created by eight composers, with each track assigned to complement a specific view from the tower. Users follow a map which shows the precise positions they are to proceed to and then play the track that corresponds with the numbered view. Originally, self-service kiosks with headphones where intended, but due to security issues, participants must download the playlist and use their own mp3 players. Maps, music and information can all be obtained from Audible Semaphore Group website at http://www.audiblesemaphore.org/index.html

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