Soundwalk Sunday Soundwalk: Playing the Burrard Bridge with Sound

Sunday, September 1, 2019; 2PM

Hosted by Matthew Ariaratnam, Elizabeth Ellis, Julie Hammond, and Helena Krobath
Meeting Location: 999 Beach Avenue (Green Streets Community Garden, located under the Burrard Bridge)

Hosted by artists from the Vancouver Soundwalk Collective and the Soundscape Show (Co-op Radio 100.5 FM), participants turned the Burrard Bridge into a giant musical instrument.

The railings of Burrard Bridge create multi-tonal sounds, launching vibrations that reach the walkers behind. In this ‘noisewalk’, players formed a chain of bridge players, creating a mass of resonant pitches with everyday implements. We will provide a few light implements, such as maple stems and spoons—or bring your own!

Bridges are engineering feats designed to carry heavy loads, span wide spaces, and resist the elements. They create crossing points at some locations and not others and are often windy, noisy, and bare—a place to cross quickly, despite panoramic views. In this soundwalk, we re-consider the bridge as a place to play. Rather than hurrying, we invite participants to explore a thought, feeling, or intention through sound, allowing the large vibrations of the bridge railings to mingle with the noise of others.

This soundwalk was part of Soundwalk Sunday, organized by the Museum of Walking in the UK.

Video by Heather McDermid.

Vancouver Soundwalk Collective Archive