‘Stolen Voices’ is an ongoing inquiry by Rebecca Collins and Johanna Linsley with rotating collaborators, inspired by eavesdropping.
The work imagines public spaces as semi-fictional constructions, as if an Agatha Christie novel has shattered over a town and fragments caught in the local soundscape. Summoned to these spaces, the artists seek access, navigate pathways and decode traces of an as-yet-undefined event.
‘Stolen Voices’ particularly investigates the UK coast. The sense of borders and border crossings, evidence of lost technologies, shifting economies and ways of life – the romance of the sea – all of these add up to prime eavesdropping territory.
The project takes a variety of forms, from participatory workshops to new music composition, experimental performance, community gig nights, an installation called the Eavesdropbox, and a book project currently in process which we call a sonic detective novel.
‘Stolen Voices’ has been supported using public funds from the Arts Council England, Aberdeen City Council, the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Performing arts and Visit Aberdeenshire. It was initiated in 2014 with support from the Live Art Development Agency as DIY project, in association with Sound & Music and Arts Bournemouth.
In autumn 2017 the project will receive further support from the Live Art Development Agency, SPILL Festival and Snape Maltings. Previous project partners include Helix Arts and Durham Creates.
Photo Credits (from top): Craig Kirkwood, Richard Frew, Colin Davison. All rights reserved.