Sonic Intrigues

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A soundscape in the Round Building cutlery factory created by SONA, inspired by and experimenting with sounds from the factory floor.
 
PRE-BOOKING IS NOW CLOSED. THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF DROP-IN PLACES AVAILABLE FOR EACH TIME SLOT.
Sonic Intrigues is the latest project from Sheffield sound art collective <A HREF="https://sonawomen.co.uk/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">SONA</A>. It is a multi-channel sound installation composed using sounds from the metal-working of knives, forks and spoons at David Mellor’s workshop in Hathersage, in the Peak District National Park. 
The David Mellor workshop employs a small specialist team of highly skilled craftspeople to create sophisticated, modern tableware, using traditional hand-crafting techniques. Designed by architect Sir Michael Hopkins in 1990, the factory itself – the Round Building – is small and purpose-built, with a circular shape that perfectly accommodates the different stages of cutlery-making in an anti-clockwise journey around the factory floor.
For this new work, SONA has composed a multi-channel soundscape incorporating natural, mechanical and digitally processed sound materials from different stages of the assembly cycle in the factory – the stamping, filing, grinding, burnishing, polishing, and so on.
Before beginning to compose, SONA spent time in the factory observing, discussing and recording different parts of the cutlery manufacturing process, echoing Bauhaus principles in studying the raw materials and the processes of making before undertaking new design. After getting to know the sounds of the factory floor, SONA’s composition then arose from sets of experiments with – and inspired by – these recorded sounds. The result is a collection of seven short pieces, each following a different sonic idea to transform raw sound into composed material.
For some, Sonic Intrigues may challenge preconceptions of where sound ends and music emerges.
Visitors are encouraged to participate in 'active listening' – pick up a family-friendly handout at the installation and follow its prompts to listen out for sounds and try to identity whether they're human, metal or machine!
The collection of pieces lasts a total of 20 minutes. It will play through with start times every 40 minutes.
Start times: Saturday – 10:20 / 11:00 / 11:40 / 12:20 / 13:00 / 13:40 / 14:20 / 15:00 / 15:40 / 16:20 Sunday – 11:00 / 11:40 / 12:20 / 13:00 / 13:40 / 14:20 / 15:00 / 15:40 / 16:20
<A HREF="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sonic-intrigues-tickets-79015548633" TARGET="_blank">Book in advance</A>. A limited number of places for each time slot are also available on a drop-in basis.
This event is unseated, though a small number of chairs will be available for those who need them.
The David Mellor design museum, cafe and country shop will also be open on Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm (lunch served until 3pm, last service at 4:30pm) – <A HREF="https://www.davidmellordesign.com/visitor-centre/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">see more info</A>.
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SONA is a Sheffield-based group established in March 2016 which fosters skills, creates space, generates networks, and forges collaboration to support women in learning and experimenting with sound and music practices.
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This event is part of Sheffield Modern, an arts festival inspired by the city's architecture, taking place for the second time on 22-24 November.
See the full programme – <A HREF="http://sheffieldmodern.co.uk/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">sheffieldmodern.co.uk</A>
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
With funding and support from: Sheffield Hallam University, Site Gallery, RIBA Yorkshire, Sheffield Town Trust, BDP, and David Mellor.
Supported by City of Ideas funded through Arts Council England's Ambition For Excellence fund.

The Round Building

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Sonic Intrigues

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