#spatialpractice

Listening to surroundings: the small valley at the base of my backyard.

Concentrating all of your energy into solely listening feels like all of the senses fitting into one. Not only are my ears being simulated, but my mind is imagining my surroundings as I listen closely to what is happening around me.

Different ways to listen: eyes open to properly identify sounds, or eyes closed to imagine your surroundings just by judging the sounds. The longer and harder you listen for, the more sounds you will hear. There is a noticeable difference between ‘shallow’ listening and ‘deep’ listening.

My relationship between the sound environment and myself is a relaxed tension, where I am not contributing to the sound but simply in the presence of my surroundings and silently listening. It is a very tranquil environment with no stress.

Sounds I heard were a variety of birds, insects, faint car motors in the distance, wind chimes, wind rustling the trees and blowing past my ear canal.

These sounds to me feel comforting and allow me to feel emotionally and physically aware.

I perceive the depth and distance of what was around me (trees, cars, birds)

Time felt to go significantly faster that expected when you are deep in the listening process

Sit in the escalator well and listen for 5 minutes your surroundings, then discuss with your partner for another 5. List observations:

 Not only the visual sight of people carrying themselves as they walk, but the sound of people carrying themselves (shuffling, stomping, etc.) was interesting to hear and notice.

Listening to the environment in such a concentrated manner made you consider it to be an art piece. It made me consider validation: what is artwork?

The contrast between the mechanical interaction between the stairs and the escalators was an interesting concept to listen to.

It seemed that when no one is using the escalators, it is like they are stationary of use, yet they are still in motion. They are in a ‘neutral’ state, waiting for someone to use them.

Sound contrast between squeaky feet on the floor and the squeaking of hand on the escalator on the hand railing

Brian Jungen, Skull, 2006-9

Brian Jungen, Vienna, 2003

Brian Jungen, The ghosts on the top of my head, 2010-2011

mobKevin Law, WEEE Man, 2008