Listening to the Forest

Commissioned by Fermynwoods Contemporary Art
Grange Academy, Bedford, England
2024

In January this year whilst in residence at Fermynwoods Contemporary Art we worked with Grange Academy, a special school based in Kempston, Bedford, to develop a multi point sound pieces for the school children’s sensory garden. Over two days of workshops, we introduced the students to different ways to listen to the world around them, from listening with their unadorned ears to using our homemade parabolic mic, stereo mics and home made contact mics. Through collage and talking activities, we discussed the environment and our sense of cosmic responsibility. Each child had a different and illuminating perspective - and we felt a huge sense of privilege in getting to hear their thoughts over the time we spent with them. At the end of the workshops, we used a microphone to record their thoughts about how they feel when they are in a forest, and looking into the night sky. The students now get to hear themselves in their sensory garden, empowering them to know that their voices and thoughts are valued.

Forest.

Stars.