Speaker: Ryan Woods, NOVARS Research Centre at the University of Manchester
Wed 25th March 12:00 – 13:00 UK time. This seminar will be held in person in Newton 241 and online via Microsoft Teams.
Abstract
This presentation will summarise the philosophy, process and outcomes of my recent practice based PhD in Electroacoustic Composition entitled ‘Collaborative Soundscape Composition: Exploring Manchester’s Acoustic and Cultural Ecologies’.
Soundscape composition is a valuable academic tradition that involves interdisciplinary explorations of the world in order to build better relations between humans and the places they inhabit. However, it is often carried out by individuals from similar backgrounds. The premise of this research is that we might have richer understandings of the world if we involve collective communities in this work. In order to do this, I map ethnographic ethics and sensibilities of fieldwork and representation onto the practice of soundscape composition. I use three projects and resulting compositions as examples of developing such a practice: green spaces in South Manchester; child-tree relations in Moss Side; and Zimbabwe-Leicester migrations. These in turn touch on issues of interspecies relationships, identity, wellbeing, education and memory.
Biography
Ryan Woods is a sound artist and researcher. He uses anthropological methodologies and sound practices to explore relationships between people and the more than human world. He has just completed his doctorate at NOVARS Research Centre at the University of Manchester.