The Joensuu Soundscape Composition Contest is an event looking for new aural experiences taking place in Joensuu, Finland. Selected works are played in the pedestrian zone through the existing outdoor PA system consisting of over 100 speakers. Audio output is split in four discrete areas (left, right, center, rear) allowing composers to create multichannel soundscapes. The artistic level and the diversity of the works submitted was considered considerably high by the jury. Many of the finalist works answered well to the competition call and the yearly theme of "Transforming Localities", which encouraged the contestants to reflect the possibilities of sound, art and digital communication to challenge, overcome and reshape geographical configurations. |
| Out of 143 works from 24 different countries, my contribution titled Everyone is sheep until becoming wolf was selected with 8 other projects to be played in the pedestrian zone of Joensuu city center from 11th till 13th July 2011. It was then awarded the 2nd prize by the jury consisting of sound artist John Wynne (head of the jury), composer Petri Kuljuntausta, sound designer Juha Linna and professor of cultural research Helmi Järviluoma-Mäkelä. |  |
| Description of the work: This sound clip recomposes the urban space by instilling natural sound elements. Sounds of sheep herds can be heard on the right and left channels, symbolising the sense of interiority and protection one may feel among his fellow-men in a rather closed space. More ironically, this also refers to the gregarious behaviour of pedestrians in shopping streets. Sounds of howling wolves can be heard in the central channel, recalling the growing presence of wolves in Finnish cities. Metaphorically, they refer to prestige and power as well as danger and threat of urban open places. The sounds of sheep in the neighbouring streets can be heard as a counterpoint in between the howls. The Rhodes pads in the rear channel contribute to the context dramatisation. Wolf howls can be heard from the central street in between chords. |
| Jury's comments: This work commented cleverly the local atmosphere by installing not only sounds of wolves, almost stereotypical of Joensuu, but also sheep herds that referred ironically to the typical crowds in the commercial streets. It is one of the few submissions that really had a sense of humour. There was a sort of lightness – it didn’t take itself too seriously. It used the spatial possibilities of this specific system more than any of the submissions. It ‘activates’ the listener – if s(h)e wants to experience the whole piece, s(h)e has to walk through the streets. It makes you aware of the full scope. The listeners can make their own “mix” of the piece. The simplicity and clarity of the concept was excellent. It is both funny and sinister at the same time. |   |
