The first version of ‘Landscape Acoustics and Voice’ was a two-day workshop realized with the choir La Luette Agile from Limoges (FR) in January 2014. By listening and through using the voice we explored the acoustics in the landscape. By experiencing and attentive listening we investigated the sounds in the environment and our presence in it. How does the perception of the space change while moving? By walking, the acoustics of the landscape and distances between the singers make different echoes audible on the valley and forest, where the earth relief modulates the sound. The group explored the distances between each other, walking along the island’s coastline. Until where can they hear each other and communicate through their echoes?

After each session outside they would map and write their experiences, followed by a group discussion and sharing of experiences of this a-typical choir setting, being left ‘alone’ in the forest but together in hearing each other from far, or more and more near. The final performance consisted of a star-shaped choreography, starting in the top of the island. Then the singers spread apart to the shore and came back again. It was a transformative experience where the participants and listeners merged into the surroundings.

During the workshop we made a series of maps, drawings and texts on A4 format, reflecting on our experiences. We concluded the workshop with a live performance on-site on the 25th of January 2014. Workshop participants were: Géraldine, Marc, HIlly, Marc, Claudine, Marie-Pierre, Julien & Fabrice; participants of the performance were: Géraldine, Marc, HIlly, Marc, Claudine & Marie-Pierre; thanks to Christian Galarreta. Work made during an artist-in-residency at Le Château, Centre international d’art et du paysage, Île de Vassivière (FR). Supported by the Mondrian Fund.