"When I give talks on listening, I often use this example: when we're children, adults often stop us to show us a magnificent view from a belvedere, exclaiming ’look how beautiful it is", inviting us to become aware of the immensity of the landscape before our astonished eyes. On the other hand, it is very rare - if not non-existent - for us to be invited to listen to a landscape in the same way... ‘Listen to how it sounds this morning’ would be a phrase that would allow us to apprehend hearing and sounds with the same intensity and attention as sight and shapes.
BELUDIRE [s] project (from the Italian Bel Udire = beautiful listening) involves local people working together to build listening platforms in the landscape. Although “green tourism”, eco-walks and footpaths are now an integral part of our landscapes, it has to be said that nothing - or very little - exists to capture the sound of our environments. Felix Guattari's concept of sound ecology, or ecosophy, makes it clear that sound is an essential vector in our spaces, an exponential source of information and a way of becoming aware of the ecosystem in which we live. The Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park is a formidable reservoir of sound. The idea is to set up several beludires in this area, in collaboration with the local communities and their residents."
Loïc Guénin
Steps in the creation of these listening devices
Meeting with the elected representatives of each commune to present the project ; - Setting up a small group of residents willing to get involved in the project ;
1st working session [audition] with the composer and sound artist Loïc Guénin, from the Phare à Lucioles company: Listening walk in the landscape, ear-sketching exercises, quick history of sound ecology ;
2nd working session, [conception], with the composer and the company's stage manager, Thierry Llorens : sketches, plans, imagination of the structure, technical requirements, lists and back-planning ;
3rd working session, [construction] with the company's stage manager: construction of the platform and installation on site ;
4th working session [inauguration].
