A tactile sound and light installation
A sound based artwork created by the young people of King’s Lynn to explore their identities.
Sound Mirrors was a sound-based artwork that invited you to reflect on your own identity and the identity of place. During October 2023, the large scale sound sculpture and projection gave a fresh perspective to the thoughts and feelings of the young people of King’s Lynn.
Situated underneath the monastic tower of Greyfriars at Tower Gardens, a sculpture of sound mirrors – made of polished sheets of steel – amplified sounds, creating a vibration in the metal that the spectator was able to touch and feel. Accompanying the artwork were colourful geometric visuals, projected onto the magnificent monastic tower, which recreated reflections and distortions. Juxtaposed in this peaceful memorial setting, the multi-sensory experience allowed the spectator to contemplate the tone and mood of the young people. As it got darker the lighting within the sculpture came to life and projections on the Tower appeared.
Sound Mirrors is a sound and visual based artwork produced by Collusion with lead artist Oliver Payne and visual artist Francesca Cant and co-created with the young people of King’s Lynn through sound and visual workshops.
Sound Mirrors installation ran between Thursday 12th – Sunday 29th October at Greyfriars Tower, King’s Lynn PE30 5BZ from noon to 11pm.
During the half term there was an interactive workshop for families, which included a range of sound equipment to play with. The members of the Collusion team and lead artist Oliver Payne helped families explore the sounds in the park and make their own recordings.
In addition, there was a meet the artist event where lead artist Oliver Payne discussed the artwork, how he worked with young people and the unusual sound recording techniques to collect sounds around King’s Lynn.
The immersive sound installation was suitable for all, including those who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing.
Sound Mirrors is the first project in the WE ARE LYNN series led by Collusion for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk. Collusion’s work seeks to establish King’s Lynn as a national centre of excellence for cultural innovation in interactive, town-scale projection based artworks.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Arts Council England, Norfolk County Council, Clarion Housing and the Audrey Muriel Stratford Trust.
Further Resources
See resources available for creative sound recording in our Padlet with definitions, examples and types of hardware and software to use. Also check out our Padlet on outdoor projection.
Artists
Creative team
Oliver Payne, Lead Artist
Francesca Cant, Visual Artist
Kirsten Murray, Creative Technologist
Smelly Cat Creations, Engineering & metalwork
Tj Brand, Technician
Matthew Usher Photography, Photography
Alex Thaxton, Filmmaker
Producers
Rachel Drury & Rich Hall, Producers
Liam Roberts, Associate Producer
Savannah Andrews, Assistant Producer
Natalie Whitney, Assistant Producer
Jo Clarke, General Manager
Tracy Satchwill, Communications Manager
Co-creators
Lola Murray Beers, Jack Parry, Aksel Zuravljova, Aaron Hilton, Grace Barwood, Ella Shihadeh, Eden Malinovska, Leona Smith, Joseph Bailey, Jack Calvert, Dayz Catton, Harry Chaplin, Mateo Maurera, Ethan Gourley, Adam Jackson, Robert McHale, Erin Thorpe, Harvey Duffery, Keira Hedly-Walker, Fearne Ketteringham, Caspar Leszczynski, Eddie Mcdowell, Scarlet Minchin, Lucius Savage, Rhianna Stock, Lou Williamson
