This international workshop is a start up for a biggest project of research about soundscape. The concept of this first step is connect an international group of research (Swiss, Brazilian, Italians, Spanish and French researchers) in a scientific workshop which will promote participation, disseminate scientific reflections and even include artistic performances (Music and Physical Theatre). During the Travelling Soundscape Workshop in Locarno development an innovative methodology: the “Travelling Focus Group (TFG)” for discovering the area and the sounds which characterize the landscape.
Participatory sound mapping; field work; cooperative learning and teaching; soundscape; cultural heritage; inclusion
In the TFG realized in the workshop one can:
- test and apply the potential of participatory methodology by participating;
- contribute to the achievement of participatory sound mapping, centered on the acoustic dimension;
- achieve a reading and a “personal territorial listening”, the quality and depth of which will depend on the group involved.
This process of appreciation becomes a driving force for promoting accessibility of the area through a participatory sound map of the case study of the territory which can be extended to include the entire Swiss and Brazilian context.
Fields of research / Disciplines: Educational science and pedagogy; psychology; social geography and ecology; history in general; music: theatre
Research questions
As such, the workshop provides a community-based context for conducting an innovative pilot experiment. In particular, these are the principal research questions:
- What is the attitude of people towards sound? To what extent is this at the centre of their perceptions of a landscape?
- How effective is a mobile social application in raising awareness of the appreciation of sound as an asset and in influencing people’s perceptions? What is the potential for the usage of the landscape for people who are blind or visually impaired? To what extent do sound games offered through the platform involve the web community?
- To what extent is the innovative methodology of Travelling Focus Groups (TFG) effective and efficient for the definition of participatory mapping (as a product) and for the development of collaborative processes for the creation of new knowledge;
- How much does the creative dimension (sound and theatrical performances) contribute to developing territorial knowledge, change in society and awareness of the acoustic dimension?
» Video presentation from the Quotidiano RSI (16.8.2016 – Il programma del Monte Verità, in Italian)