This walk takes place on the eve of World Listening Day, an annual event to celebrate acoustic ecology and the practice of listening. In this walk, participants are invited to explore culture, community and kinship from an auditory perspective, listening to the surrounding soundscape of Strathcona and Chinatown through a wide range of physical sounds within an “auditory landscape” as well as the materials that create, alter and destroy them. This approximately 60 minute sojourn will offer a broad, playful exploration of the listener’s interrelationship to civilization, society and the more-than-human, revealing a deeper level of significance of our semantic association to the auditory world around each and every one of us. A group debrief and discussion will follow the walk, allowing participants to share personal experiences and reflections.

What to Bring:
This soundwalk takes place outdoors, so participants should arrive for the walk with comfortable, appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather conditions at hand, as well as sunscreen, water bottle etc.

Accessibility:
The tour covers approximately 3-4 km over 1 – 1.5 hours depending on pace, weather, and discussion.
The route includes a variety of terrain including paved sidewalks, though some areas may be narrow and curb cuts may be inconsistent.
There are no benches or seating along the route.
Public washrooms may be available at end of the walk
The pace of the soundwalk can be adjusted to accommodate the group’s needs.

About the Artist:

Jorma Kujala’s academic and interdisciplinary art practice includes painting, mixed media, collage, drawing, and soundwalking. His work investigates perceptions of truth, repetition, re-creation and re-enactment, as well as the bodily interplay between the senses, the individual, and environments.

Photo credit: Jorma Kujala