“It somehow feels like it’s made up of moss, stones, rough fabric, splintered fenceposts and the smell of rain on leaves.” Joe Muggs, Bandcamp

Living Matter, a spatial sound installation by multi-instrumentalist and composer Mara Simpson and sound engineer, Tobin Jones, featuring the work of poet, J.L.M. Morton. Taken from the album of the same name, released IN May, Living Matter is a series of 10 compositions, each responding to poems by JLM Morton.

Featuring listening posts along the way, follow our map (coming soon!) which leads you to the installation site, Rattle and Brash, an arts space set within a 14 acre farm, currently being managed for nature recovery and biodiversity. There the installation will be featured in a series of deep listening sessions on d&b audiotechnik’s groundbreaking Soundscape system accompanied by coffee, pastries and a bar. For those not walking, there will also be parking available.

Predominantly instrumental, with passages of field recording segueways and explorative sound design, each of the ten tracks featured in the installation responds to a different poem. Inspired by the landscape of Stroud and its ancient history (from the area’s pre-Roman Dobunni tribe to the spirits Genii Cucullati) and water goddesses (Cuda and Sulis Minerva whom they worshiped), it explores themes of identity and artefact, memory and belonging, but most of all seeks to breakdown a perceived otherness between human and non-human existences and foster care between all of us Living Matter. 

OPENING TIMES:
Fri 12th 7- 9pm (taster/opening night) / Sat 13th 11am-1pm / Fri 19th 7-9pm / Sat 20th - Sun 21st 11am - 1pm
Admission: Free for HN ticket holders (if coming before the main festival just show your e-ticket on the door, if on main weekend pick up wristbands from Box Office!) / Pay What You Can on the door for non-HN Festival ticket holders