|
Singing Windows is a sound installation project for town centres, bringing together retailers, the general public and composer Robert Jarvis. Using Feonic audio technology, multiple shop window fronts are able to function as loudspeakers, each capable of playing gentle sounds, affecting the street’s atmosphere and enticing the unsuspecting general public. To date, there have been three completely different versions of this installation: in Sittingbourne (where the sounds used were connected with the different shop trades and their window displays), in Thanet (where the sound of birdsong was used) and in Lens, France (utilising keynote sounds that defined the region’s identity). Each Singing Windows project used around fifteen shop window fronts to broadcast discreet audio to the unsuspecting public. In Thanet, the installation was so successful that it was repeated on a much larger scale and in collaboration with an external evaluator as well as the local police force, following claims from the retailers that not only had their trade increased but that anti-social behaviour on the street had reduced dramatically. There is a link to the resulting evaluation below. This Singing Windows version made use of manipulated recordings of birdsong placed at the various locations. The exact sounds used, the timing and overall feel of each installation was worked out in collaboration with the hosting retailer. Where a number of locations were in earshot of each other the audio was synchronised with the effect that the birds appeared to react to each other. The experience of the pedestrian was also considered so that the sound was not repetitive or infringing on personal audio space. The fact that the origin of the sound was not obvious, enticed passers-by to search for the sound and therefore relate to the area in a different way, raising curiosity, inspiring conversation, and adding a sprinkle of cheer. In 2014 Singing Windows was awarded the Digital Culture Award for its series of installations across East Kent. The judges admired the installation’s ambition to make an impact on all kinds of social and environmental factors in a sometimes challenging high street space, and described the work as “a really innovative, but also lyrical and poetic digital piece that made connections with all kinds of audiences in easy to access ways”. A4 Info - installation details (same as this page). Background Details - further information about the installation. Blog - created during the Thanet series of installations. Evaluation - external evaluation of the larger Thanet series of installations. Lens Resonné - project diary for the French version of the installation. Singing Windows web - original website for the installation. Streetwaves - project diary for the (original) Sittingbourne version of the installation. MEDIA BBC Radio Kent - reporting on effects of the installation. BRFM - interview for the launch of the 'Streetwaves' installation in Sittingbourne. Culture Award - "Robert Jarvis wins Digital Dward with Singing Windows". East Kent Gazzette - "Listen to sounds of the street". Encounter - "The world would be better if....". Encounter - "A peaceable intervention". Faversham Times - "Artist is inspired by sounds of the street". Home - Interregional Culture-Led Regeneration Programme discussion paper extract (English). Home - Interregional Culture-Led Regeneration Programme discussion paper extract (French). Kent Messenger - "High Street to be wired for sound in art project". KMFM - the effect of the 'Singing WIndows' installation in Margate. L'Avenir de L'Artois - "Écoutez battre le cœur de la ville". Medway Extra - "Birdsong fills the streets". Métropole - "Vitrines Sonores: écoutez battre le cœur de Lens". Métropole - "Les vitrines do vos commerçants donnent de la voix!" Screen Media - "A nightingale (or six) sang from retailer's shop windows". Sounding Board - "Community Birdsong". Voix du Nord - "Lens: des façades sonores pour voir la ville autrement...". Voix du Nord - "Lens: dans les vitrines de centre-ville les supporters lensois sont là!" FILM Les Vitrines Sonores - teaser for my 'Vitrines Sonores' installation for Lens, France. Télé Gohelle - feature on the success of the French version of the installation (Lens Resonné).
|
|---|
