seeing as how the critical making studio is based out of occidental college, we decided to do a short sound walk on the notoriously gentrified york boulevard. as i mentioned in our first post, the newly constructed park on york and ave. 50 is a much-needed change in scenery from the empty lot that once was. the childrens park consists of a reptilian-themed jungle gym/play area, chess tables, open library and most interestingly, playable instrument installations (xylophone, mallets, bongos), created by FreeNotes Harmony Park. it was a fascinating example of using sound art as public installations so as to enhance urban experience and the aesthetic of a space in general. making such instruments allows the public to interact with the space on a deeper sensorial level than just the visual, and thus feel a deeper connection to the space and community in general. such initiatives are common elsewhere in the world as well; last semester, i studied in Brighton, where the train station had a publicly accessible piano, the melodies of which reverberated throughout the station forum and allowed respite from the monotonous announcements over the PA system. This quote from a paper written by Charles Morrow says it all:
Sound art should be integrated into the architectural and landscape process to shape the sonic environment, directing the visitors’ perception of scale, balance and intimacy. Sonic environment design includes portals and transitions between environments.These transitions are dynamic by their very nature of changing perception step by step.One test of a sonic design is its effectiveness for a blind or blind folded person
afterwards, we visited Cafe De Leche, seeking shelter from the punishing heat thanks to an ice cold drink. cafe de leche is often crowded with young professionals, musicians, new residents in eagle rock (read: gentrifiers) and is very much a business that is at odds with the local-ness of older establishments. we also ran into a journalist from KPCC and discussed eagle rock and the presidents visit. listen in for what it feels like to hear sound on newly gentrified york boulevard.
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