The Singing Pots Project
This project lasted for approximately 4 to 5 years, travelling to different locations and transforming slightly in each case.
The original inspiration came from a conversation between myself and musician, Susanna Bearfoot.
[To see Susanna’s current project, click here].
I had already made a series of tall cylindrical ceramic pots which were calling out to be developed in another aspect and my love of singing and sound led me to Susanna’s expertise.
We both felt excited by the idea of a collaboration between ourselves, combining the hollow tubes and pre-recorded, composed sound. This would also be in a place of nature.
Fortunately, we managed to gain some funding from the Arts Council and also permission from the Nagshead Nature Reserve in the Forest of Dean to site our site-specific piece there and have access for the general public.
Susanna developed and composed beautiful sound pieces, inspired by the shapes of the pots themselves, the forest and children’s voices. These haunting sounds emanated from within the larger hollow pots and were triggered whenever someone walked close to them.
Part of the funding included resource for the involvement of a local school, Clearwell C of E Primary School. We invited the children to come to the forest and experience the art piece. We played interactive games, which involved them using their voices throughout the site, calling to each other and listening to each other. More workshops followed on in the school, led by myself and Susanna.
Singing Pots then reappeared a year later on site at the Camphill Village Trust’s Taurus Crafts visitors centre, on the edge of the Forest of Dean.
The sculptures were sited in their garden gallery and were designed to be played by the public, including children.
There were cylindrical pots that could be played like drums and many other types of sounds, including Susanna’s compositions.
The varied pots that were developed as a result of this fantastic collaboration continued in other forms, culminating in an exhibition at the Chapel Gallery in Amberley, Stroud. Here, we exhibited some of the larger pieces and the composed sound made a resonant and ambient atmosphere.
The project would not have been possible without the technical expertise of sound technician, Christopher Potts, who designed the sound trigger mechanisms.
Singing Pots Video
Children from Clearwell Primary School became part creators of the sounds that emanated from the pots.
Susanna combined their voices, the sounds of the forest and other unique instruments to create beautiful ambient sounds, complimenting the natural atmosphere of the forest.
It was a magical experience.
