SOUND MIRRORS (2010)

Sound Mirrors is an immersive sonic environment that responds to significant rivers across the world. Throughout 2009 and 2010, Leah Barclay travelled through Australia, India, Korea, China and Hong Kong capturing the sound of rivers and their surrounding communities. The resulting work is an ephemeral experience that slides through vivid landscapes and rich cultural traditions.

Sound Mirrors was selected as one of four national projects for the Australia Council’s HELM-Arts Award. HELM is an initiative of the Queensland Conservation Council that recognises innovative work at the intersection of art, science, technology and the environment.

Sound Mirrors officially opens at the Noosa Regional Gallery on Friday, October 8 at 6.00 pm. The exhibition opening will include a live performance and launch of the limited edition CD ‘Transient Landscapes’, featuring works from the Sound Mirrors installation. Sound Mirrors will tour to Sydney, Melbourne, Korea and India following its exhibition run of October 7 to November 21 at Noosa Regional Gallery.

“This project grew out of a life-long connection with rivers. My childhood memories of growing up on rivers across Australia and living in countries such as India fuelled a desire to explore rivers as the lifeblood of communities. I wanted to find a voice for the rivers at a time where it is becoming increasingly important to listen to the environment.

The Noosa River positioned in a UNESCO listed Biosphere of Australia, the historic Han River flowing through the city of Seoul, South Korea and the Pamba River in the evocative backwaters of Kerala, South India formed the core of Sound Mirrors. The process has varied from sculpting and layering sounds recorded on location to directly responding to the environment. The source materials range from hydrophone recordings deep in the Noosa River to pilgrims chanting at dusk on the banks of the Pamba in South India. I have worked intuitively with these materials, exploring new forms on an ephemeral sonic canvas that dissolves into the natural environment.”