Wet Sounds
Wet Sounds, the UK's underwater sound festival first launched back in 2008 at Hackney's outdoor Lido. Local public were invited to experience a collection of especially made sound art from around the world for free with the normal pool admission charges.
Wet Sounds is a mobile gallery for sound art, it is curated by Hackney artist Joel Cahen from work submitted by artists worldwide. The work then goes on tour and is exhibited at swimming pools nationwide and internationally. For example, in 2009 Wet Sounds toured 14 cities in the UK and took part in Create 09 as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Cardiff Festival, Camberwell Art Festival and Heeley Pool Centenary Events.
The average person does not get to experience sound art as it is generally reserved for a niche audience in a gallery. Wet Sounds makes sound art accessible to the public through a unique listening experience. As part of the normal public pool admission, the audience floats or dives through water immersed in sound that is clear, detailed and intimate.
In 2010, Wet Sounds was accompanied by tailored, educational sound art sessions for disabled and able-bodied children and young people launched through the Council's Discover Young Hackney festival.
Wet Sounds was produced in Hackney by Joel Cahen's company Newtoy and was supported from 2008-2010 by Hackney Council's Cultural Development Team and received funding from Arts Council of England and the PRS Foundation.
For more information on the project go to www.wetsounds.co.uk.
Page updated: 20 Sep 2011
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