mapaSONORU: a project we can all listen to
What does Asturias sound like? Participate in the mapaSONORU project and upload audio files from your computer
Image of the Luarca coast. Photo: Nuria García
By Nuria García, @VeoArte, Veo Arte en todas pArtes
Sound is used to construct the present and image to make history, up until now...
All this has started to change as sound recording systems have evolved enough to bring us closer to reality, becoming really efficient. The possibility of storing audio in acceptable conditions was practically a pipe dream. This entailed that a lot of cultural information based on sound was being lost over the years, which hindered making a historical reflection of it. We can draw a parallel with what the emergence and development of photography as a system for capturing and storing images implied and still implies. In the case of sound, the process and evolution has been much slower.
Cultural heritage is not confined to what vision can capture – there are a series of cultural materials, living traditions or expressions whose documentation is based essentially on sound recordings, as is the case with a large part of intangible cultural heritage.
The recognition by UNESCO of sound landscape as intangible heritage opened the way for today’s many projects dedicated to the recording and archiving of sounds and landscapes.
One of these projects is being developed by LABoral with the name of mapaSONORU: an initiative created in 2009 by Juanjo Palacios and entirely dedicated to Asturias. mapaSONORU aims to awaken interest in soundscape, holding workshops and creating work groups to start learning about phonography and/or studying this field in more depth.
Next 7 September the work group resumes its activities in Gijón’s Botannical Gardens, making field recordings on the sound signals that are combined with studio session to work on the collected material. If you would like to take part in person, registration is free talleres@laboralcentrodearte.org
One of the most interesting points about the project is that in addition to being able to participate in its workshop and work groups, anyone can join in by sending a recording in two simple steps.
- Step 1 > Fill in the online questionnaire providing information on the recording and geolocalisation data.
- Step 2 > Send your audio track in format: mp3 320 Kbps, 44100 Hz with the same name as the title to email: blezna@gmail.com. One of the following services has to be used in order to send the file: dropbox.com, wetranster.com, yousendit.com or similar.
The sound map of Asturias has been developed using Google Maps API, Dewplayer and archive.org.
Collaborating in its soundscapes are: Juanjo Palacios, Óscar de Ávila, Edu Comelles, Carlos de Hita, Mind Revolution, Tómas BS, etokeè, Las CasiCasiotone.
Would you like to take part?
