Come soundwalking with us!
Led by Hildegard Westerkamp, we will learn about deep listening and other sound practices that connect us to the world around us. The event will also include a grounding in space and place facilitated by Kara Smith as well as insect identification by Austin Baines.
After the sound walk join us for hot drinks and a chat around a fire to reflect and share experiences.
Before and after the soundwalk, we are very pleased to present Hildegard’s sound installation “Coon Bay”, that was recorded at Coon Bay on so-called-Galiano in 1988.
Galiano Conservancy will be on-hand to identify and answer questions about the flora and fauna found on the walk, along with a local youth expert.
Rain ☂ or shine ☀ Come prepared with layers and waterproof gear.
FREE AND ALL AGES. We have included the opportunity to donate with your ticket, for those that are inclined.
Schedule
11am Check in and experience Coon Bay
12pm Sound Walk Welcome - Kara Smith and Hildegard Westerkamp
1pm Meet back at the firepit for reflections and conversation.
2pm Experience Coon Bay
This event is being held on the unceded stolen traditional territories of Penelakut, Lamalcha, Hwitslum and other Hul’qumi’num speaking peoples as well as the ceded territories of Tsawwassen First Nation, on what is now known as Galiano Island.
Accessibility Details
This activity involves walking on rough paths with some loose scree, roots and mud. The walk will include some uphill and downhill terrain, and will not be wheelchair accessible.The installation and meeting space are more accessible but do not have wheelchair ramps for full accessibility.
Neither the walk nor the installation are accessible for hearing impaired participants.
There are bathrooms available at the meeting space.
Installation description
Coon Bay was created at the Music Gallery in Toronto during a residency in 1988. It is not so much a composition as a sound document of a sunny afternoon spent at a small, quiet beach at the North end of Galiano Island in British Columbia.
Coon Bay is the name of a small deep cove, where the water laps differently onto each of its three shorelines. On this particular summer afternoon the ocean was calm, which resulted in relatively lazy water sounds. On the west side of the cove one hears a gentle swirling sound as the water moves up onto a smooth rock surface, which itself has been sculpted by the water over many years, into beautiful wavy, liquid-looking patterns. On the east side piled up boulders create unusual sounds: I had arrived here with my microphone at a moment when the level of the tide caused the water to slosh and plop into the spaces between and under the rocks, creating very specific and rich resonances. On the South side the waves create regular high swishing sounds as the small waves hit the many tiny pebbles on the gradual incline of the beach. As the waves recede over the pebbles, a long high rushing sound occurs, like an intense outbreath. At one point in the recording we hear a distant seaplane passing and towards the end, a small boat enters the cove, idles for a moment and then stops its motor. In some places throughout the piece, subtle sonic ‘imaginations’ weave in and out of the original field recording.
https://www.hildegardwesterkamp.ca/sound/docs/coonbay/
