Lyric Cacophony, 2021

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Lyric Cacophony uses haptic sound technology to convert the exterior windows of a building into speakers allowing the building to speak. Installed at Beacontree Library for one year as part of the Beacontree Centenary this sound work was created in collaboration with children and young people living in Barking and Dagenham.

Using their voices, learning new computer skills to create sound effects, and experimenting with how sound waves can be seen and felt through a number of making activities, the young people shared their own stories. As a group they spoke about how they wanted to be heard, how we all express emotions through the voice, and how they hoped to make others feel in hearing their voices.

The sound work played at pre-determined times throughout the day to be heard and felt through the external walls of the building by those passing by outside. Using the architecture of the building itself to play the work, the sound emanates from the building as an invisible source.

Commissioned by Create London and presented by the White House and New Town Culture.

Sound Engineering: Daniel Halford

Film: Foreign Body