Weekend walks to inspire: Bute park, Treephonia
I have had a rich weekend filled with nourishing, beautiful local walks, sprinkled alongside two cinema trips, seeing some inspiring and thought-provoking movies. One walk was one through Bute Park on the sunniest of days, glistening species of trees in the sunshine, combined with a peaceful air of people soaking up the day surrounded by nature, laughter, chatter and the faint sounds of classical orchestral music permeating the air from the Welsh Collage of Music and Drama...
2/27/20241 min read
It felt like another world. I am always struck by the beauty of this park, the haven, and the vast species of trees. Such a place of reflection. I spent time alone here and alongside my friend Tarah. The park is also scattered with engraved and carved wooden sculptures and benches, a point of inspiration. Tree names and QR codes, too. It reminded me of https://treephonia.com/...
"In 2019, ‘Music for Trees’, an interactive geo-located music app featuring original music written by young composers for trees in Regent’s Park, was launched. The project was initiated by arboriculturist Matt Steinmann.
In a continuation of the project, 17 composers from the Royal College of Music have composed works for 190 trees in Kensington Gardens, including 32 unique species. ‘Treephonia: Kensington Gardens’ is an immersive soundscape that invites listeners to engage meaningfully with the trees of Kensington Gardens and seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of the environment and the threats it faces. It is hoped that through Treephonia, listeners will forge stronger relationships with their surrounding environment.
Each composer conducted a close observation of their tree over the course of 10 months – from its leaves, flowers and fruits to its complex root systems. They listened to and conversed with their tree and studied its interaction with surrounding trees. Reflecting the harmonious and symbiotic coexistence of the many trees of Kensington Gardens, Treephonia explores not only the unique voice of each tree, but how they vocalise together." (Treephonia, 2019)....
The online interactive map with the trees and each music piece is highly accessible, but can also be done alongside walking beside the trees, like I did back in 2020 (Lockdown!)... IDEA SPARKING HERE WITH SMART BENCHES AND MUSIC, THE LIVE STREAM INPIRED BY CREATIVE FOLKESTONE IN PROSPECT COTTAGE AND AN ONLINE MAP...COMPOSING SOUND PIECES OF MUSIC BASED ON PLANTS SEWED AND TREES IN THE PARK!