Peace Wall Belfast Soundwalks

6 ECHOES

I am a sound artist and researcher from Montreal, Canada. I am completing my PhD at Queen's University Belfast with SARC: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Sound and Music. I have received a Master's in Research in Arts & Humanities with a concentration in Sonic Arts from Queen's University Belfast, passing with distinction. Additionally, I have earned a BFA with Distinction in Electroacoustic Studies and a BA in Anthropology from Concordia University in Montreal. As an artist, I investigate sound through a wide range of projects that have been presented internationally in the form of concerts, installations, exhibitions, and conferences. I am presently interested in research involving urban arts, spatial audio, sonic arts, and socially engaged arts.   For more information: https://georgiosvaroutsos.com/

Peace Wall Belfast Soundwalks (sound walk at the Peace Wall Belfast) ~1hr15min

A binaural immersive experience with six soundscapes composed to highlight relationships between realism and perception of different sonic markers or events occurring throughout the year. It questions how we listen to what we’re seeing, and what we’re seeing is it being heard?

Join me for a binaural soundwalk exploring and listening to soundscapes inspired by the spaces surrounding the Peace Wall.

What you need: Mobile phone + headphones/earphones Instructions: Go to one of the 6 locations on the map (listed below), walk into the circle, and audio will play (can press pause/play also). Each recording lasts 3 mins to allow you to then listen to the space.

Locations:

1.St. Gall’s Ave (bottom) 2.St. Gall’s Ave -Bombay St (Green field) 3.Bombay St – Kashmir Rd 4.Cupar Way – Lawnbrook Ave 5.Cupar Way (middle) 6.Cupar Way – Conway St

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More information about the Peace Walls: According to CAIN: “Peacelines, or peace walls, are physical barriers between the Protestant / Loyalist community and the Catholic / Nationalist community in certain areas in Northern Ireland. The walls are usually constructed of concrete, stone, and / or steel, and can be over 6 metres tall. The ‘official’ peacelines grew out of barricades that the local communities erected themselves during periods of intense conflict in 1969 (and in later years). When the British Army was deployed in August 1969 it replaced the existing barricades with barbed-wire barriers of its own. It had been hoped that these would only be needed temporarily. However, the barbed-wire barriers were replaced with more permanent structures and over the years new peace walls have been erected and older ones extended in length and height. The peacelines represent the most visible form of the ‘sectarian interfaces’ between the two main communities in Northern Ireland.” (Ulsteracuk, 2019)

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Thank you for visiting and experiencing this artistic research project. If you would like to fill out a quick survey about your experience today please click the link: https://forms.office.com/r/kTe0EMWstu

Feel free to spread the message and share the link with whoever may be interested.

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The project was first conceived in 2019, as part of my Masters in Research (MRes) final project for the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) at Queen's University Belfast. More information about the full research and projects can be found here: https://georgiosvaroutsos.com/peace-wall-belfast/

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Information Creator: Georgios Varoutsos, PhD student at the Sonic Arts Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast Website: https://georgiosvaroutsos.com/

St. Gall’s Ave (bottom)

This soundscape demonstrates how those in the area interact with the materials around them. It combines different daily routines, such as listening to music, kids running around the neighbourhood, and blending of subtle environmental sounds. The minimal amount of vehicle traffic opens up the street for different levels of play and imagination. Everything becomes part of their home. Kids run around freely exploring the landscape before them, each time curious about something new and courageous on taking on new challenges. Take some time to walk on the sidewalk and around the generator, try to understand that this is part of their homes.

1 sound

St. Gall’s Ave – Bombay St (Green field)

In the large green field, there is a mixture of interactions, with the Peace Wall, the plants against the wall, the field to play in, all of this is an open platform to engage with. Take a look at the material put into the Peace Wall. From the metal placement on the wall, the rocks underneath it. How different does the wall look and sound from this point of view?

You will listen to different interactions with the materials in this space.

Free to walk around in the green field!

1 sound

Bombay St – Kashmir Rd

When thinking of how the Peace Wall divides our auditory and visual senses, pay close attention to the drummer in the soundscape. Later on, you will hear this same drummer from the other side of the wall. It is only one of the few transferable sounds that make it across the Peace Wall to be heard. Take some time to look at the houses with gates on the back and look at the proximity they live to the Peace Wall.

Face the wall when the drummer starts to play and then move around.

1 sound

Cupar Way – Lawnbrook Ave

Interactions within the community, local traffic, and tourists visiting with the transport of buses create a multi-layered masking of some hidden sounds in these spaces.

You may hear a sound from either side of the wall that can stimulate alternative experiences. Notice the drummer playing? It is the same one you can hear from the other side of the wall.

When the drummer plays, try to rest parallel to the wall (right side wall, left side street).

1 sound

Cupar Way (middle)

Focusing on the concept of sonification (data that is translated to sound), this soundscape takes a creative approach to the interactions with the murals, wall, and surrounding material. You will be listening to the interactions of the cracks in the wall, the electromagnetic energy, the peeled layers from some of the paintings, and all of this blurred with the natural environment. It is to promote alternative perception to the space, structures, and art in this area.

You’re free to interact with these layers on the Peace Wall. Touch and feel these different materials while listening. Take some time to read the message about artwork.

1 sound

Cupar Way / Conway St

A couple days before the 12th of July, there are large towering bonfires built across the country to celebrate Ulster Protestant culture in Northern Ireland, for the Glorious Revolution (1688). While at this moment this structure may or may not be there, this soundscape focuses on the community’s social interactions. Relaying to particular events that take place right up to the base of the Peace Wall.

Look at the photo and the gate where the structure would be or is placed.

1 sound

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Peace Wall Belfast Soundwalks

6 ECHOES

St. Gall’s Ave (bottom)

St. Gall’s Ave – Bombay St (Green field)

Bombay St – Kashmir Rd

Cupar Way – Lawnbrook Ave

Cupar Way (middle)

Cupar Way / Conway St

DOWNLOAD OUR APP TO DISCOVER THIS TOUR AND MANY OTHERS.

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