Sound and Music

Wet Sounds 2009: National tour
28th June – 22nd July 2009

The UK’s underwater sound gallery, Wet Sounds, launches its second national tour in London at Kings Hall Leisure Centre in Hackney on 4th July 2009. The public is invited to experience a collection of especially made sound art from around the world.

Wet Sounds is a mobile gallery for sound art; it is curated by Joel Cahen each year from work submitted by artists worldwide. The work is exhibited at swimming pools nationwide and internationally. This year, Wet Sounds will tour 14 cities in the UK and takes part in Create 09 as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Cardiff Festival, West Leeds Festival, Camberwell Art Festival and Heeley Pool Centenary Events.

The audience floats or dives through water immersed in sound that is clear, detailed and intimate.

This year the theme is Audio Cinema. The curated sound work examines forms of narrative in sound inspired by filmic soundscapes.

Wet Sounds is brought to you by Newtoy and is kindly supported by Hackney Council’s Cultural Development Team, Arts Council of England and the PRS Foundation.

CLOSING EVENT ** The tour completes its 16 date tour with a unique live performance using two eparate sound systems, one over water and one underwater, effectively creating three sound spaces in one physical space!

Live performances by FRANCISCO LOPEZ & STEFANO TEDESCO, LEAFCUTTER JOHN & TOM HAINES, and SONIC FICTION. Tickets for the closing event are available from www.SeeTickets.com

URL: www.wetsounds.co.uk

For press enquiries contact Rebecca Harisson. rebecca@newtoy.org

Tour dates:
28th June: 6pm – 8pm     Camberwell Baths, London. As part of Camberwell Arts Festival //
4th July:     1pm – 4pm    OPENING EVENT at The London Fields Lido in Hackney, London. Part of Create09 //
5th July:     1pm – 4pm    St. Lukes Pool, Brighton //
6th July:     7pm – 10pm  Stechford Cascades, Birmingham //
7th July:     7pm – 9pm    Chorlton Baths, Manchester //
9th July:     6.30 – 9.30    Heeley Pool, Sheffield. As part of the pools centenary events. //
10th July:   6.15 – 9.15    Bramley Baths, Leeds. As part of West Leeds Festival. //
11th July:    1.30 – 3.30   Picton Pool, Liverpool //
12th July:   12pm – 2pm  Batley Baths, Batley. //
13th July:   6pm – 9pm    Felling Pool, Gateshead //
14th July:   3pm – 5.30    Carlisle Pools, Carlisle //
15th July:   6pm – 8.30    Portobello Pool, Edinburgh //
16th July :  5pm – 8pm    Nairn Leisure, Nairn //
18th July:   4pm – 7pm    Bridge Arts Centre, Glasgow //
20th July:   3pm – 6.15    Splott Pool, Cardiff. As part of Cardiff Festival. //
22nd July:  7.30 – 10pm  CLOSING EVENT at Clissold Pool, Hackney, London. //

Sound travels 4 times quicker in water than in air, due to the water’s density, it is perceived not only by the ears but also by the bones and the body. The sensation is similar to a floatation tank effect. The activity promotes relaxation, listening, openness to sound art and enhanced audio perception.

People hard of hearing can hear clearly under water.

Artists feature in a special limited edition CD accompanying the festival and on the Wet Sounds website.