Research recording at Cathedral Park. Photo by David Chandler
Soil to Sand / Sky to River: a soundwalk with St Johns
2021
Soil to Sand/Sky to River is a co-composition between walker and the surrounding environments. Guided by audio instructions and field recordings, walkers move through Portland’s St Johns neighborhood, from a grassy park tucked just behind a vibrant commercial district to the shore of the Willamette River below. Inspired by soundwalking practices of Hildegard Westerkamp, Christopher Small’s “musicking”, and Robin Wall Kimmerer’s writing on interconnection, this soundwalk invites listeners to consider proximity and vantage, ground and grounding, roots and reaching as they playfully pay attention to the earth below and the sky and structures above.
Released: February 15, 2021
Download the soundwalk audio and map HERE
Soil to Sand / Sky to River was commissioned by Third Angle New Music with support from Portland Parks and Recreation
As part of an ongoing interest and exploration in extending ephemeral and personal experiences, Portland artists were asked to create scores based on their Soil to Sand / Sky to River listening. These were shared with musicians living in Canada who created audio recordings based on their interpretation of the scores. Full documentation coming soon.
Soil to Sand / Sky to River score by Gabriel Liston
Score 1 (of 5) by Eric Kilkenny