transporter mix - alun ward
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More work can be seen at www.alunward.co.uk
Alun Ward's Transporter Mix is an interactive participatory piece which invites the viewer to step into micro-environments linked, via sound, to very different locations and places in time.
The installation comprises a wooden shed with a floor surface of earth, shingle, sand, woodland debris, and freshly cut turf. The viewer is invited to remove their socks and shoes (optional but encouraged), don the headphones provided, and enter. Once inside, the individual participant can close their eyes, explore the surfaces, and listen. The artist sits outside, mixing different recordings to alternately align the sounds to the surfaces, or to create disjunctions between the two. These recordings have been made by the artist across the UK - in a line that extends from the North West Highlands of Scotland to Brighton beach - in woodlands and meadows, on lawns, beaches, hillsides and riversides. The combination of auditory and sensory input serves to transport the participant to remembered or imaginary locations.
Due to the direct engagement of the artist with the visitors, only one participant is possible at a time, but it is expected that people will spend between 2 and 5 minutes in the environments.
Public reactions to Transporter Mix:
Wonderful experience - with eyes closed, I’m in all my favourite places
What a fantastic concept - escapism and memory jogging - a real sense of transportation
Brilliant work. The interactive countryside experience was wonderful!
Sounds and barefoot. Brilliant idea.
The temperature and texture of the surfaces under foot combined with the sounds brought back specific memories of places I visited.
I loved the feeling of the different textures on my feet. The feeling my feet experience are now mainly limited to socks, carpet or bathroom floor. I loved the sound of the beach – gave me memories of home in Malta.
Loved the combination of kinaesthetic experience. Beach sounds in particular brought back many memories of playing tag with the waves on numerous beaches.
Absolutely magical. Imagination, uplifting.
I really want to go places now! Expands the mind. Very calming, soothing, introspective in a peaceful kind of way. Should be in every home and every office!
Really extraordinary – a wonderful vehicle as aides to memory. I almost felt the tide lap over my toes.
Alun Ward has exhibited paintings, animations, film, and sound work in Oxford and London since 1994. A founder member of the 3jay artists' group, recent work has been commissioned for World Mental Health Day in Oxford.
