about sounds
I have used this website to host pictures of my visual art, then images of my lighting designs, but sound recording has always been a hobby of mine. Since I was seven I have been fascinated with recording moments. We live in a world oversaturated with images, and it has changed us. We skim the surface, judge instantly what we think we experience with only one of our many senses. Listening is something we need to do more. So, this will be a sound journal of life moments. I have lost several files, but will try and recollect them, then post them here.
"Girl 1-5" is a compilation of my daughter's voice from age 1 to age 5. It's a 9 minute track, with only one noticeable cut, so it's hard to tell at what point she's matured.
On a trip to Niagara Falls a few years ago, I got the opportunity to ride on one of those boats that goes right up to the falls. It was intense. LOTS of water creating a heavy mist. Everyone was trying to take photos, but I instead did a sound recording. I like this track because it makes me think of how tourism tries to package the experience of a place, and how we process moments like that.
There's a large store not far from where I live called Rural King. It's a big box store over-lit with bare fluorescent lamps. In every aisle they've posted camera images of people who have shoplifted in the past. They sell everything from camping gear to barbed wire, auto parts and baby chickens. This is a recording of those baby chickens chirping.
My mother in law saved several toys from my husband's youth, including old story records, where you read along while the record reads to you. This is a recording of my daughter and I listening to one on a rainy day. I love the strong, Michigan accent of the narrator, and who knew the names of the Pacman ghosts!
We recently went to the annual "Mardi Gowl" parade in Knoxville, TN. It's a parade of dogs and their owners all dressed up as if they were at Mardi Gras. There are dogs adorned with gold and purple feathers, beads, hats, booties - you name it. They even had their own marching band! It was a good time.
On a recent trip to a nearby bird sanctuary, I made this recording of all the bugs, birds, and frogs in the background. It was the beginning of spring, for sure. March 2020
Due to Covid 19, all social interactions of humans will be suspended until further notice. Meanwhile, the rest of nature goes on like nothing unusual is happening.