This week, Hunter committed to doing the soundwalk with his eyes closed. I was leading him, and as such I became very aware of uneven ground and changing from pavement to grass or other surfaces. So, honestly, I was a tad distracted throughout the whole walk, definitely relying a lot on my vision to plan the safest path. Our pace was a little slower than normal (because walking anywhere with your eyes closed is terrifying), but I think it contributed positively to the experience.
There were two other walkers along with us, and we ended up forming a protective formation around Hunter, since he was the most vulnerable in this situation. It wasn’t discussed ahead of time, it was just something we fell into. I like to think this shows how community can be formed through shared experiences. It can lead to caring for each other, even protecting one another instinctively.
A band was playing near the center of campus, and their music helped establish our location. Moving around a stationary point of sound was extremely orienting and comforting, more so than I would have guessed.
Hunter’s body language was telling of what kinds of sounds he perceived as threatening. We walked alongside a street with cars passing by, and that was definitely the strongest point of apprehension. With skateboards, one can usually hear them approaching long before they’re near, but the cars were quicker and quieter.
The most deceptive sound was a bird squawking – I legitimately thought it was a door squeaking. High-pitched and loud. Long. Repetitive. Steady. Consistent. Isn’t it crazy how nature can sound like a man-made object (and vice versa)?
We ended the walk in grass. But even then there were distinct differences in the sounds of the grass based on its health. The dry grass, sharp, crackling, shallow. The deep green grass, mellow, swishing, full.
March 28, 2018
5:45 - 6:15pm
70s/80s, sunny
Until next time!
There were two other walkers along with us, and we ended up forming a protective formation around Hunter, since he was the most vulnerable in this situation. It wasn’t discussed ahead of time, it was just something we fell into. I like to think this shows how community can be formed through shared experiences. It can lead to caring for each other, even protecting one another instinctively.
A band was playing near the center of campus, and their music helped establish our location. Moving around a stationary point of sound was extremely orienting and comforting, more so than I would have guessed.
Hunter’s body language was telling of what kinds of sounds he perceived as threatening. We walked alongside a street with cars passing by, and that was definitely the strongest point of apprehension. With skateboards, one can usually hear them approaching long before they’re near, but the cars were quicker and quieter.
The most deceptive sound was a bird squawking – I legitimately thought it was a door squeaking. High-pitched and loud. Long. Repetitive. Steady. Consistent. Isn’t it crazy how nature can sound like a man-made object (and vice versa)?
We ended the walk in grass. But even then there were distinct differences in the sounds of the grass based on its health. The dry grass, sharp, crackling, shallow. The deep green grass, mellow, swishing, full.
March 28, 2018
5:45 - 6:15pm
70s/80s, sunny
Until next time!