Whitburn Resonance
Partner Organisations: University of Sunderland, Tees Archaeology, The Barnes Institute
Creative Practitioners: Shelly Knotts
Reseachers or Experts: Caroline Mitchell, Robin Daniels
Participants: Janet Beveridge, Ian Bower, Elsie Ronald, Alicia Ward, Trevor Sewell, Susan Day, Richard Day, Peter Bell, Brian Elstob, John Shield and members of Whitburn Parish Church, Carol Shield and members of Barnes Institute, Brian Hastings and members of Whitburn Village Heritage Society, Christine Buckham and members of Whitburn Local History Group, Volunteers at Whitburn Library, Carol Freeman, Alistair Robinson, Jake Morris - Campbell, Year 7 Pupils at Whitburn Church of England Academy
Co/Lab Curator: Dr. Suzy O’Hara
Documentation: Colin Davison (photography), Alan Fentiman (videography), Lottie Steele (audio).
Whitburn Resonance is a community project that focuses on the sounds of the medieval fishing village of Whitburn on the North East coast. The project aims to understand how the local soundscapes have changed over time by combining archaeological data and sonic research.
The project emphasises connecting people to the area and encourages reflection on the coastal environment. Through participatory research and acoustic mapping, the goal is to foster a stronger sense of stewardship and appreciation for the marine heritage and seascape among coastal communities.
Whitburn Resonance
Local residents worked with artist Shelly Knotts, researcher Caroline Mitchell and archaeologist Robin Daniels to map historical resonances relating to the histories, archaeology and the community’s memories of the village through sound.
Whitburn Resonance, podcast
Caroline Mitchell and Shelly Knotts talk more about the Whitburn Resonance project, from the idea to the outcomes.
Participants explored a range of concepts and ideas around sound memories, sound walks and sound mapping of the village of Whitburn.
They collected data, and produced a series of analog designs of maps, and sound explorations during a series of workshops delivered in local, community-run venues and locations in the village.
Process & Delivery
Co/Labbers