Sounds of the Unthinkable

Time: Saturday 7th of April, 16:00
Venue: Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork

Background

In 2008 the Irish Examiner published an article about possible links between cancer rates in the Cobh area and pollution from the former Irish Steel plant at Haulbowline. In 2017 during a residency at Sirius Arts Centre, Softday initiated a dialogue with interested members of the local community, environmental scientists, maritime experts, Cork County Council and others to creatively explore the social, environmental and political impacts of the various scientific and environmental data that Sofday were collating.

Performance

Utilising existing (and contested) pollution data and field recordings gathered from the Cork Harbour area, Softday have created two unique sound art compositions. The first, All Things Are Not Quiet Silent, will be performed by carillonneur Adrian Patrick Gebruers, on the 49-bell Carillon of St. Colman's Cathedral in Cobh. The second, As I Went Out One Morning, a contemporary sea shanty utilising field recordings, conversations and environmental impact reports, will be performed by Softday and the Deep Water Singers from Cobh.

Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, seen from the sea
Sirius Arts Centre, view from the sea

Carillon a St. Colman's Cathedral
St. Colman's Carillon

St. Colman's Cathedral in Cobh
St. Colman's Cathedral in Cobh