Foam and flow

"When I first considered the themes relevant to the Migration Sounds project I instantly thought of the oceans. Living in the UK, an Island surrounded by water, we often hear of people attempting to cross the channel to find safety, with frequent news reports of drownings due to unsafe, overcrowded boats. All too often, these people are dehumanised by simply being referred to as 'migrants', as if lesser individuals.

"Living in Edinburgh, we are next to the sea where the mist, or ‘haar’, often roles in over the water and only the silhouettes of people can be seen walking on the beach or swimming in the waves. 

"When I first heard the lapping water sounds of the sample, I found myself visualising people through the haar getting into boats ready to make the treacherous crossing to a better life, knowing that some may be taken by the sea and not survive. I wanted my piece to reflect this scene and so in ‘Foam and Flow’ I try to paint that picture. It was also important for the sample to continue through the whole piece, as a reminder that the water plays such a crucial role in these stories."

Birdsong in Hamilton reimagined by Simon Holmes.

Part of the Migration Sounds project, the world’s first collection of the sounds of human migration. 

For more information and to explore the project, see https://www.citiesandmemory.com/migration