STORIES AND SOUNDSCAPES

6pm–8pm
£35

Writing and sound meet in this collaborative workshop which references Black perspectives on the sea, led by artist Joshua Woolford.

Participants will explore building sound-based performances, from writing and developing ideas to experimenting with electronic instruments, audio clips and voice.

The workshop will reference Black perspectives on the sea and the myths which have developed between African spiritual traditions and the forced migration of afro-descendents to the Caribbean and Americas, highlighting the power of storytelling in addressing current, past and future issues including colonialism and environmental crises.

Inspiration will come from sources including Mami Wata (2021) by Kelechi Nwaneri, and electronic music duo Drexciya’s album The Quest (1997). This compilation album presented the nautical afrofuturist myth of a race of underwater people born from pregnant enslaved women who were thrown overboard during the transatlantic slave-trade crossings.

Participants will write stories based on their own interests, experiences and cultural heritage,  before working with the mobile app Ableton Note and/or basic acoustic instruments to create accompanying sounds.

The workshop will end with a group performance/sharing session.

Use of Ableton Note is optional. The app costs £8.99 and can be downloaded on IPhone/IPad. Ableton Note isn’t available for Android devices. There will also be acoustic instruments available, as well as the option to use the audio recording function of your phone, or focus on writing and reading over sound creation.

All materials apart from Ableton Note will be provided.

All sales are final, we are unable to offer refunds.

Image: Kelechi Nwaneri, Mami wata, 2021 © Kelechi Nwaneri. Courtesy the Artist and Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery