Don't Shoot the Messenger (Wirksworth)

Don't Shoot the Messenger (Wirksworth) is a site specific, downloadable binaural audio sound walk, inspired by the adaptation of one of the most common 'city birds'- the feral pigeon. 'City birds' is the terminology given to species, always ready to exploit a potential food source or a suitable nesting site. The walk takes the form of a tour guide based on the exploration of public space, including spaces where pigeons nest and roost. The walk addresses the notion of the pigeon as vermin and celebrate the important roles throughout history. The soundscape has been constructed (via in-ear microphones), using layers of recordings including ambient sounds of the city, with directional instructions and a narrative. Using theories of psychogeography, the narrative will explore my own experience of the city as well as local residents and commuters and the notion of a pigeon's perspective looking down onto the city. Download all tracks and add to an audio device to listen to in Wirksworth town. Each track has 10 minutes of silence at the end to enable listeners to have more control over the pace of the walk. The sound walk will take approximately 16 minutes to complete. All tracks have been recorded using in- ear microphones to produce binaural audio recordings and need to be Listened to with stereo headphones.