향하는 귀, 흐르는 걸음, 벌어진 사고

Heading ears, flowing steps, unfolded thought
Jun.-Oct. 2024

Soundwalk Performance + pre-research program
@bottle Factory Cafe, Hongje-Cheon (stream), Mihakgwan Gallery, ururu

dianaband X Heeju Im X Minok An

《Heading ears, flowing steps, unfolded thought》 is a sound-walk performance that invites us to sense and practise diverse connections with beings in the world through the act of listening.

The body is divided into inside and outside, with numerous openings. Let us examine one such opening called the “ear”. The ear is an orifice we cannot seal completely at will. Thus, much flows in through it — birdsong, rhythmic music, someone’s voice, a mobile phone’s notification chime, and so forth. Once it enters the ear, it ceases to be merely a physical vibration. For hearing is instinctive yet cultural, independent yet collective.

What are you listening to? 《Heading ears, flowing steps, unfolded thought》 seeks to discover the world that flows into our ears as we walk and listen together. And it invites us to consider what state this act transforms us into, and what attitude of listening brings about that change. From simply allowing sounds to pass through us unobtrusively, to the deep listening that pricks up our ears to capture each incoming sound one by one – we explore these diverse methods.

The area we shall walk together is around Hongjecheon Stream in Seodaemun-gu. Hongjecheon Stream originates from Bukhansan Mountain and flows into the Han River. The sound of an artificial waterfall cascading, the sound of bicycle tyres rubbing against the urethane surface, the sound of the noise barrier rattling ··· all enter our ears. Here, there are natural and artificial sounds, familiar and unfamiliar sounds, near and distant sounds, interesting sounds and dangerous sounds.

We aspire to become a jungle expedition team exploring Hongjecheon, now an unknown space. Our first goal is to refrain from categorising sound/world. To avoid hasty labelling. Though we do not yet know what the expedition team of 《Ears that Listen, Steps that Flow, Minds that Open》 will discover, we intend to be kind to “everything” that enters through the body’s orifices. What relationships shall we discover? Step by step, we hope each stride becomes a track, intertwining into new connections. We await fellow jungle explorers to walk with us.

2024 DEC 17~20
Depart from Bottle Factory » Cringey Track (Listen by Section) » Listen to Nono » Weather-Like Sounds (Location-Specific) » Humulus Radio (Always Streaming) » Mihakgwan Gallery Sound Installation » Arrive at Bottle Factory

A GPS-based mobile application presenting directional and auditory environments, guiding users to specific locations along the Hongjecheon Stream walking path. It offers diverse listening experiences, where the emergence of encountered beings and encounters with residents blend harmoniously with soundscapes, much like a composition.

Nono-zone, Cringey Track - Minok An
Weather-Like Sounds - Wonjung Shin
Humulus Radio - Heeju Im
Hole Journal - Dooho Yi