Can sound help us imagine and create better futures?

There are many people and projects thinking about possible futures, and how we might design or write ourselves into them. With its immersive and ambiguous qualities, and its ability to tap directly into our emotions, how might sound impact the way we think about and influence the future?

Recently, Duncan Speakman has been working with the theatre company Uninvited Guests, alongside DEFRA, to explore sound and the future of our freshwater systems through a series of collaborative immersive sound performances. In this talk, Duncan will present this project, alongside a range of other international future sound projects and practitioners, exploring the theory, practice and possibilities of this exciting new field. 

Duncan Speakman is an artist and composer who has been resident at the Pervasive Media Studio since its inception. Since 1999 he has been creating narrative experiences that engage audiences emotionally and physically in uncontrolled spaces. From intimate in-ear stories to large scale performances, his award winning projects range from sound installations on Guangzhou tram networks and loudspeaker symphonies in Christchurch, to performative audio walks in Saitama and radio works for the BBC.  His recent audio augmented reality project ‘Only Expansion’ won Best Immersive/XR experience at London Film Festival and the Special Jury award for Immersive Non-fiction at International Documentary Festival Amsterdam. He recently led the MA in Virtual and Extended Realities at UWE and is currently a senior researcher at University of Bristol working on sonic futures.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 12th July 2024 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:
Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:
The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.