Sound Environment, Brighton
Since our formation we have dedicated much of our programming to environmental causes, running several continuous art and research projects linked to the outdoor soundscape of Brighton and its environs. These currently comprise various online Sound Maps, an Integrated Soundscape research project, investigations into sound territories and various Transmission Art projects, including audio streaming and themed soundwalks. In 2023 we helped to establish The Ecomusicology Project, a physical ‘sonic plot’ dedicated to the intersection of environment and sound.
Declared a UNESCO biosphere in 2014, Brighton and its surroundings offer fertile ground for sustainable sound exploration and creative action.
The Ecomusicology Project
The Ecomusicology Project is partnership comprising sound artists, musicians, community practitioners, horticulturists and makers. Our ‘sonic plot’ is based at Stanmer Organics, Stanmer Park in Brighton.
The project aims to create an open inclusive space for ecomusical experimentation, education and interaction. Ecomusicology is the convergence of music, culture and the environment at the intersection of nonhuman and human sound worlds, and our project is based around creating a flexible, multi-use environment for workshops, exhibitions, performances and installations on a short and long term basis.
The Ecomusicology Project was formed in 2023 as a partnership between five organisations with a rich history of producing sound art, performance and community music: Sound Art Brighton, Lost Property, The Rose Hill,, Music for Connection, At The Coach House.
Brighton Sound Maps
We are in the process of producing a comprehensive sonic cartography of Brighton. These maps will provide new ways to interact with the urban environment; referencing the city’s sonic present, past, and future.
Transmission Art
We are developing a number of projects that will explore the possibilities of audio transmission and sound in space; including participatory sound walks and streaming media.
Integrated Soundscape
The Integrated Soundscape project explores the ecological soundscape of Brighton & Hove through a unified perspective. The project hopes to identify relationships between the three different categories of soundscape – anthropophony, biophony and geophony – as outlined by pioneering bio-acoustician and soundscape ecologist Bernie Krause in the 1990s. The project is led by American sound recordist Chris Sciacca who is based in Brighton.
anthropophony
human generated sound from either humans or man-made technologies.
biophony
the collective sound of vocalising animals in a given environment
geophony
naturally occurring non-biological sounds and natural forces, such as water, wind, and thunder.
SOUNDER – student collaboration
In early 2021, we initiated an international project where six undergraduate students from three universities were brought together to develop a collaborative project concerning environmental sound. The students formed a collaborative group entitled SOUNDER to undertake their activities. The project links the institutions of University of Brighton, University of Sussex and University of the Arts Bern (HKB). Follow the project on Instagram:
Digital Music & Sound Arts (BA)
University of Brighton, UK
Music Technology (BA)
University of Sussex, UK
Sound Arts (BA)
Bern University of the Arts, CH