Sounds of Weather

BACKGROUND Samartzis researches in the areas of sound art, acoustic ecology and spatial sound practices, with a specific focus on art and environmental sustainability. He pursues research in the place of sound in contemporary art practice through a range of site-determined sound art projects. The Sounds of Weather is a cross-cultural art and project linking research activities from Musashino Art University, Tokyo with the School of Art , RMIT University, Melbourne to investigate the experience and behaviour of weather through sound, video and performance. The project included site visits to the Sumida River, Tokyo Bay, Saitama Underground Discharge Facility (Japan) and the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme (Australia). A combination of interconnected perceptions (using all our senses) experienced by the body forms our understanding of climatic conditions. CONTRIBUTION The project included performances and exhibits at various venues in Tokyo and Melbourne (including Superdeluxe, West Space Gallery and Konnoh Hachimangu Shrine). Weather is a universal phenomenon that shapes our perception of ourselves, and the places that we inhabit. Perceptions of weather are shaped by multi-sensory encounters and experiences: auditory, visual and tactile. The works produced during The Sounds of Weather provide a broad survey of how artists have attempted to capture the influence of weather within a diverse set of locations. This enabled an investigation of the spaces, conditions, technologies, and language used to harness weather in activating awareness of how it shapes daily life. Artists contributed a divergent set of responses as variable and dynamic as any meteorological event. SIGNIFICANCE Notable sound and performance artists including Haco, Jou Odoru, Minoru Sato, Toshiya Tsunoda and Kudo Taketeru made additional contributions to the project. Funded by an RMIT Foundation International Exchange Fellowship and a special project grant from Musashino Art University.