Ambitious project creates live link to world heritage site

Jesse County Arts Sa Civic Centre Project  TBW Newsgroup
NEW WAY OF THINKING: Murray Bridge-based audiology artist Dr Jesse Budel had transformed the soundscape of the Mount Gambier Civic Centre through the installation of a multi-storey surround sound installation in the courtyard. Pictures: MOLLY TAYLOR

Jesse County Arts Sa Civic Centre Project TBW Newsgroup
NEW WAY OF THINKING: Murray Bridge-based audiology artist Dr Jesse Budel had transformed the soundscape of the Mount Gambier Civic Centre through the installation of a multi-storey surround sound installation in the courtyard. Pictures: MOLLY TAYLOR

THE shrieks and calls of endangered bats and the creaks of towering tree canopies are currently being livestreamed from the Naracoorte Caves National Park to Mount Gambier’s Civic Centre courtyard.

The brainchild of Murray Bridge artist Dr Jesse Budel, the audio art installation has added a new element to the central building, carried out as part of a three-week SA Power Networks artist residency project.

Complementing the recent entrance pillar project delivered by Adelaide Hills artist Cynthia Schwertsik through the program, Dr Budel’s unique piece was born from research he undertook during his Doctor of Philosophy studies, which focused on ecological sound art.

“The focus of my studies was based around using environmental sound as the main material, rather than musical instruments playing notes, melodies and harmonies,” he said.

“When I made the application, I imagined an installation which drew attention to the different levels and soundscapes of the Limestone Coast.”

Dr Budel said the courtyard featured three levels of speakers which were connected to microphones set up in the Naracoorte Caves.

“At ground level we have the underground sounds from the bat caves, through the mezzanine you can hear ground level activity and at roof level we hear activity from tree canopies,” he said.

“I was born in Bordertown and grew up there for the first five years of my life and I have not had much connection with the area since.

“It has been great to come back and learn more about the region, not only for myself, but also on a broader artistic and cultural perspective.”

Dr Budel said he had to make sure the microphones were fitted in the caves correctly.

“The speakers were less difficult to install because I was working in the one space and just getting everything routed and set up,” he said.

Group Shot Country Arts Sa TBW Newsgroup
ARTISTIC: The Mount Gambier Civic Centre – home to the city’s council chambers, Country Arts SA and the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre – has recently been touched by Murray Bridge-based artist Jesse Budel and Adelaide Hill’s Cynthia Schwertsik through two SA Power Networks artist residency projects.

“The microphones were a challenge as I had to identify the site where they were to be located and organise the logistics behind it.

“Testing the microphones was definitely a learning process, as I used kits comprised of a micro-computer raspberry pi and an audio interface microphone which was all connected to a mobile router.”

Dr Budel said he was drawn to the Naracoorte Caves because it was an interesting ecological site.

“There is obviously a lot of native fauna and flora at tree canopy, but the location is one of only two breeding sites for the critically endangered southern bent-wing bat,” he said.

“Having the opportunity to hear them is quite a rare treat.

“If you visit the caves, you can only hear them in the bat centre.”

Dr Budel said the sounds were coming from the caves as they were happening.

“It was about working with the caves, to get the sounds from the caves,” he said.

Country Arts SA creative arts projects manager Merilyn de Nys said the project was one example of how Country Arts SA supports regional artists.

“The audiology components of Jesse’s work is something I know I have not seen before and I am actually quite a novice to,” Ms de Nys said.

“The sound is live streaming, not recording and it is influenced by the Bureau of Meteorology.

“I think it is really innovative and staff have commented on how it has changed the dynamic of the space.”

Ms de Nys said it worked well with the civic space due to the frosted windows featured in the courtyard.

“You really get the canopy feel,” she said.

“Both Jesse’s and Cynthia’s projects have added to Mount Gambier which growing into a real cultural hub.

“Cultural tourism is also in every business’s thinking … we have seen a lot of innovation and Mount Gambier is coming of age.”