SWS21
Nida School Chronicle
The plot of this soundwalk opera is based on real text written in Nida (Lithuania) by german speaking school teachers between 1922 an 1945. It reflects on the real historical events that were happening around the town of Nida, in the Curonian Spit.
Heal the Land, Heal the People
This post explores the historical significance of the land along Nichiwana (the Columbia River) as a Native trade center and gathering site near the Willamette River, now part of Portland's Cully neighborhood. It highlights the area's transformation, Indigenous displacement, and current efforts for regeneration through Cully Park’s Native Gathering Garden, featuring voices from local Indigenous communities and a Nez Perce drumming performance.
Sonic Blooming
Sonic Blooming is a guided soundwalk at the International Rose Test Garden featuring a composition created from biodata sonification of plant electrical impulses combined with field recordings from the site. Participants access the soundscape via a web link while exploring the garden, with an interactive website allowing users to upload their own recordings to be integrated into the evolving composition.
Come Sunday
Come Sunday is a soundwalk created by jazz artist Darrell Grant that explores Portland’s inner-northeast neighborhoods, once home to over 200 Black churches. The route connects thirteen historic Black houses of worship, including Bethel A.M.E. Church, blending oral history, spirituals, poetry, and music to reflect the community's cultural and historical significance.
Footpath for Otic Ghosts
This post explores how walking in natural and built environments can serve as a practice of listening to both internal thoughts and external sounds, emphasizing the role of environmental features as resonators and instruments. It invites reflection on how places can be understood sonically, highlighting the potential of everyday materials and settings to create or reveal unique auditory experiences.
Soil to Sand/Sky to River
Soil to Sand/Sky to River is a co-composition between walkers and the environments of St. Johns, led by artist Julie Hammond. The soundwalk moves from a grassy park behind a commercial district to the Willamette River shore, drawing on soundwalking and ecological concepts to explore themes of proximity, grounding, and interconnectedness.
walkroulette
Walkroulette is an interactive game where a ‘drifter’ physically navigates from point A to B within a time limit, guided by votes from an online group at each turn. Players can influence the drifter’s route and tasks, while power-ups offer location information or extend the time allowed, blending virtual collaboration with real-world movement.
