Today, I led a sound walk with members of Centrepieces, a London-based mental health charity that emphasizes art and well-being. Our session focused on the soundwalk method, which we had previously reviewed together. Equipped with mobile phones, we set out to capture the sounds and sights of Hall Place in Bexley.

The group consisted of individuals with varying abilities, which offered a range of perspectives on how different people experience sound. Some participants found certain sounds pleasing, while others did not. This diversity provided insights into the subjective nature of auditory experiences. The wind was compared to a waterfall, or even white noise from a TV. A bee buzz provoked excitement for some. The children who were yelling in the distance caused some to want to walk in a different direction. Some participants are hyper-fixated and hyper-aware of sound and needed to bring noise cancelling headphones as to not be over-stimulated. We also discussed if silence truly exists, where one participant explained without their hearing devices they would only experience silence. However, they do feel vibrations from sounds and can experience sound that way.

Hall Place, situated within gardens near areas of high traffic, presented challenges in recording sounds without human interference. Despite these challenges, the group identified the waterfall as a standout feature, with its sound being a highlight for many.

At the end of the walk, we gathered to review our recordings and discuss our experiences. The conversation revealed that the walk had heightened our awareness of everyday sounds—noises we often overlook or tune out in daily life.

Overall, the sound walk proved to be a meaningful exercise in mindfulness and community connection. Through this activity, we gained a deeper appreciation for the sounds around us and the different ways in which we perceive them.

I will make a soundscape art piece using the audio and visuals collected from all who joined the walk. This will be posted at a later date.

*some parts of this blog were generated using Chat GPT