In Collaboration with Artist Rachel Kiley
Binaural Soundscape Installation: The Meadow Voices

This sound installation is a fully binaurally recorded and mixed composition, designed for headphone listening to immerse the listener in the spatial and acoustic textures of a chalk meadow. Created in collaboration with artist Rachel Kiley as part of the public art trail, the piece explores the subtle and complex sonic character of a unique ecological environment.

Using a binaural microphone system—constructed to replicate human hearing through the simulation of interaural time and level differences—I recorded on-site at three carefully chosen locations within the meadow. Each location was selected for its distinct acoustic properties: one alive with the movement of tall grasses, another filled with the high-frequency textures of insect activity, and a third resonating with birdsong and the rustle of leaves.

Field recording, particularly in sensitive natural environments, requires patience. It often takes hours for a space to reveal its full acoustic identity. By spending extended time in the meadow, I was able to attune to the microsonic details of its flora and fauna. The thin chalk soil and ancient hill are not just physical features—they are long-standing acoustic bodies, shaping the reverberation and tone of the natural soundscape.

This installation weaves these raw field recordings with spoken reflections and poetic fragments written by Rachel Kiley. All voices and ambient textures were mixed in binaural audio, maintaining spatial integrity and enhancing the listener's sense of presence. The result is a composition that is not only immersive but also deeply site-responsive.

Please wear headphones to experience the spatial depth and directionality intended. The work is an invitation to listen differently—to hear the meadow not just as background, but as an active, articulate presence deserving close attention and care.