After reading the book on forests I decided to take a trip to Epping Forest to search for these “Ghosts” Found in these places of natural beauty, looking for what I can hear within the soundscape that represented the past and present of Epping Forest.
I took some equipment with me, Lom Geophon, Zoom H1N and TASCAM DR100 MKII
I then cycled all the way from south London to Epping Forest. Gear in hand, On route I went to Jez Riley French exhibition about soil and the sounds of roots.
The installation was a quadraphonic room with sounds from soil, and the inner sounds of plants. I saw there was a talk on Sunday happening and I emailed afterwards as it was sold out and managed to be able to purchase a ticket I asked nicely and said it would contribute towards my portfolio project.
Following this I finally reached the forest. I went to the NW part of the forest and discovered Grimston’s Oak, the oldest tree in the forest, estimated to be 350 years old. I approached it and laid my Geofon contact mic around the base and picked up the slow movement and creaking of the large tree. I also followed into the forest and recorded birdsong and small streams and rivers. Overall the search for the ghosts was prominent, I could hear how the soundscape has changed I suppose. There would have not been so much noise pollution. But as the rainforest book said, sometimes the ghosts are listening to what is still there, the balance between noise pollution and actual sounds of the wildlife is proof of the fight and co-dependency that exists. My windshield broke, the TASCAM DR100MKII also broke, I got super muddy, and I need hiking shoes it seems. I guess this was the universe telling me I need to prepare better for the next trip, which I’ve decided will be near the birling gap.
I need to get the setup correct and take the right equipment with me, park my bike not take it with me. I left with a few sounds and a further determination to research and see what I can do with my sounds.
So next steps are, to reflect on some more research, and plan the gear for the next trip. Go to Jez Riley French talk next Sunday.