Waterfront Monohpony (2023)

Waterfront Monophony was a free and accessible sound art event presented on four occasions across January and February of 2023 near Wellington’s Waterfront / Te Aranui o Pōneke, near Solace in the Wind (the Naked Man Statue).

Waterfront Monophony will bring sound art that often only exists in art institutions to Wellington’s Waterfront. The event, curated by sound artist Jesse Austin-Stewart, featured the sounds of New Zealand composers Emma Bernard (Ludus), Emi Pogoni, Jack Woodbury, Joshua Pearson, and CUZZIN$ (Ruby Solly and Zak Argabrite) in an exciting and unique fashion.

Performers pacede a length of the waterfront, each with a wireless speaker playing a different sonic element of the composition. As the performers walk back and forth, the composer’s music blends with the surroundings of the people, wind, and sea. This free event means that anyone can stumble across and be invited into the world of Aotearoa New Zealand sound art. Waterfront Monophony also explores research within sound art that aims to make the field more accessible for those who are hard of hearing.

Supported by Creative New Zealand.

Photos by Andy Hockey.