Projects
Voiced In Open Air
Voiced In Open Air
Researching and developing the possibilities of sound-led immersive experiences in public spaces.
Voiced In Open Air is the prototype testing and development of an immersive sound system for an ambitious new out-loud sound-theatre work for audiences in public spaces across a city or outdoor localised environment.
Using Holoplot's sound array technology to create a new performance instrument, they aim to combine three different performance states; installation / theatre / interactive. Their X1 and X2 matrix systems are recognised internationally as the most advanced sound solution in the world. They'll test the artistic boundaries and possibilities of this technology for the first time within a public sound- work, focussing on the control, intelligence and quality of sound. The Holoplot technology enables us to work in the most challenging public environments: we aim to discover and develop the focus, control and limitations of the Holoplot system, collaboratively developing an interface utilising the system's capabilities; a front-end for a flexible instrument for improvising and controlling both the narrative and musical intentions of the work.
We hope to break new ground! For Holoplot this is a new departure taking their cutting-edge technology, currently only used in corporate and commercial venues, to become a performance instrument, using the tech to shape the sounds of the piece in time and space rather than using speakers simply as amplification tools.
Once in a working state, we'll test and evolve the system with audiences in controlled spaces. This will be a crucial stage in understanding the impact of this new immersive environment.
This public testing will enable us to gain invaluable feedback and assessment from audiences. We'll collaborate with targeted communities with whom we can learn, experiment and devise new audience interactions and sound-experiences to resonate with diverse audiences. We hope to discover and develop the possibilities of a new immersive sound instrument and system with which to expand the inherent potential of outdoor public spaces.
Experiment
£20,000
Aims of the Project
This funding will impact both creative practice and technological experimentation and advancement. They’ll develop and test new ways to artistically collaborate with corporate technology-engineers and programmers, working with a global cutting-edge sound technology company and distributing companies.
This is a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange. It will extend and develop our team’s artistic practice, enabling connection and experimentation with a technology that has never before been used as a compositional tool or purposed as an instrument for unheard community voice.
We will deeply test new ways to platform stories and voices of marginalised communities within a large scale public sound-art; how to engage audiences across larger urban spaces and varied geographical areas.
This is also an opportunity to research and explore different social and transactional/ non-transactional audience behaviours when encountering a performance work.
- How do works of sound art influence social behaviour of crowds and audiences in public spaces?
- How do unexpecting public versus ticket-buying audiences respond to sound works that appear ‘out-loud’ in public environments?
We’ll learn how to use sound as a narrative, theatrical thread, integrated into localised sounds within public spaces and combining these entities to create a new hyper-real sound art works.
We will explore how to create sound performance works that are accessible to all.
Meet the artists
Hannah Conway
Lead artist
she/her
Internationally award-winning composer recognised for her dynamic collaboration with diverse and under-represented communities to create new music stories, live and immersive performance works.
SoundVoice
Lead company, producer, administration
Sound Voice makes powerful live and immersive performance works through unique interdisciplinary collaborations between people with lived experience, healthcare, technology and research professionals and artists. Their internationally award-winning digital installations and performances platform voices and unheard narratives from marginalised groups. They combine dynamic participatory work with diverse communities, world class artists, cutting-edge technology and research to tell stories that can instigate systemic change.
They demonstrate how the arts/artists are a catalyst for change and innovation. Both their creation processes and final performance works are designed to stimulate and instigate changes in thinking and practice at individual, organisational and societal levels.
David Sheppard
Sound designer
Specialises in sound for ground breaking live and installed music events, and has had over 25 years experience working in spatial audio. He is a partner in Sound Intermedia and Director of Loss Gain.
Jude Christian
Theatremaker & writer
