"The River Gurgles and Sighs"
Keywords: colonial studies, pollution, sound music, water
This project explores the River Lee and its surroundings, seeking to disrupt entrenched modern patterns that hinder our awareness of ecological issues. The sound piece, combining underwater field recordings and spoken words, aims to harmonise with the river's essence, encouraging attunement to its intricate sounds and countless narratives.
Highlighting areas of intense activity, where water rushes and converges, as well as zones of subtle underwater stillness, the composition captures both urban and industrial sounds above the water's surface. Spoken words are interwoven into the river's sounds, complementing its melodies and crafting a poetic narrative for this watery realmāone of Britain's most polluted rivers.
The project directs attention to overlooked places and sounds, urging a shift from unnoticing to active listening. It wishes to challenge exceptionalism beliefs and examine how notions of superiority have reshaped our relationship with the River Lee. In a world often marked by denials rooted in coloniality, leading to apathy towards recognised harm, this sound work strives to reconnect with the river's body and essence.