Binaural audio soundscapes by Lucy Stevens
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April- June 2009
Nottingham castle has a turbulent history- dating back to 1068 when the castle was built out of wood by William the conqueror, it has been re-made in stone, been host to royal residents, turned into a mansion, damaged by the civil war and burnt down during riots in 1831.
The 'castle' is now a museum and art gallery open to visitors all year round, hosting contemporary exhibitions, events and outdoor theatre.
I have been commissioned to produce a binaural audio walk for the grounds of the castle for visitors to access during Spring 2009. Please visit the link below for further information.
www.castlewalkwithme.blogspot.com
December 2008- January 2009
The Collection (gallery and museum) based in Lincoln, invited me to produce work as part of their ongoing artist in residence programme for a month.
I produced
Annual, a binaural audio installation for the studio space of The Collection by capturing audio from around the city, including the Christmas fair and Lincoln Cathedral.
To access
Annual and the site specific downloable soundtracks for Lincoln Castle and Lincoln cathedral please visit
www.lucythecollectionstudio.blogspot.com
25 September 2008The context for the artwork produced for the Gold Soundz exhibition is based on inspirational music.
I was introduced to the work of Amon Tobin, a Brazilian musician, DJ, and producer of sample-based music by a friend and DJ (Dez), who partly collaborated with me to produce the soundtrack for the exhibition.
The structure of the track was based on simple drum beats created by Dez and mixed together with binaural audio recordings taken from inside the gallery, including the upstairs studio areas, workshop space and kitchen and the outside area of the gallery.
Listen to Untitled (Southwell Artspace)
Approx 2 mins 30 secs
*Please listen to via stereo headphones
30 August 2008Curated by Geoff Diego Litherland, an exhibition which contains artwork inspired by music , especially music played with guitars often quite loudly.
Opening Saturday 27 September, the exhibition is an electic mix of drawings, paintings, sculpture, videos, print, books, music and sound installations and contains a FREE animation activity for groups of children, young people and families.
-Frances and Alison, Southwell Artspace, Nottinghamshire
15 June 2008The Big Session is a music folk festival based in Leicester.
The recorded binaural audio has captured many features of the festival including the bands, singer/song writers, the audience cheering and clapping, people talking, joking, laughing and sharing gossip.
The level of volume from the music and crowds of people reveals the change in ambience as the listener is taken on a journey around the festival.
Listen to The Big Session 2008
Approx 3 mins
*Please listen to via stereo headphones
12 June 2008 A short trip to Rome was a great opportunity to gather some unusual audio.
The audio taken from Santa Maria della Concezione and the crypt (below the church) was a surreal experience. As I walked into the church the blarring sound of the traffic disappeared behind me. I could hear the faint sound of people shuffling in their seats and the church bell chiming. I got up to walk to the front area and just as I did the people right at the front started to pray and chant, I quickly went back to my seat because I didnt want to intrude, but still sat to listen.
The crypt below the church presented a very uncomfortable and sad environment. The cold atmosphere and poignant music really affected its visitors, including myself- making me feel anxious and as if I were intruding. I managed to pick up the sound of the church bells and other visitors comments as they walked past me.
Listen to Santa Maria della Concezione and crypt
Approx 3.30 minutes
*Please listen to via stereo headphones
6 May 2008The binaural audio recorded at this site includes the environment inside Wollaton Hall, including the staff and visitors and sounds from the park area, including people playing games and traffic.
When recording binaural audio, it can be frustrating when great sounds are not recorded and documented, for example: an elderly couple arguing as they walked towards me and a couple shouting at a dog who had stolen part of their picnic! However, for me the whole process of recording binaural audio is about trying to silently observe the surrounding environment, but this can be a challenge when you desperately want to comment on your surroundings, laugh or sneeze!
Listen to Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Approx 2 minutes
*Please listen to via stereo headphones
30 April 2008At the moment I’m looking for open locations in Nottingham and Leicester to record binaural audio.
The presence of a certain location or building together with its purpose, physical presence, ambience, character, history and the individuals that occupy it are the starting point to produce any audio walk or installation.
29 April 2008Trentham in Stoke-on-Trent has a monkey reserve containing one hundred and forty Barbary Macaque monkeys. The binaural recording was a little disappointing because the monkeys didn't make any sounds at all, although I did capture the tour guide giving a talk, as well as a video explaining how the monkeys survive the harsh British winters and the general ambiance of the place (birds singing and rivers flowing). With this soundscape I believe the best part of the audio to describe the experience was from the gasps and shouts of excitement from the children. 
Listen to the Monkey Forest:
Approx 3 mins
*Please listen to via stereo headphones
7 April 2008During the MA in Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University between 2006- 2007, I discovered Binaural audio, a technique which records audio using in-ear microphones. Artist Janet Cardiff has been using binaural audio for over 10 years to produce contemporary audio walks and soundscapes. Her binaural audio walks are site specific and guide the listener through a space with directional instructions. After experiencing her work "Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller: Recent Works", including Forty Part Motet at the Millennium Galleries in Sheffield I became inspired to experiment with binaural audio.
