Harmony of Science and Art Exhibition
At the heart of South Africa's rugged ocean shores, new ways of constructing knowledge are taking shape, inspired by centuries of Indigenous wisdom and the intricate dance between culture and nature. The Indigenous Marine Innovations for Sustainable Environments and Economies (IMIsEE) project represents a collaborative effort to tackle the pressing issues facing our coastal habitats. This trans-disciplinary collaboration brings together a diverse team of researchers, community members, and university scholars, all united by a singular mission: to sustainably regenerate South Africa's shoreline.
To showcase this innovative research, IMIsEE is using "sonic postcards." These are MP4 files, combining soundscapes with visual elements, designed to be shared widely via email, podcasts, and social media. Lasting one to two minutes, these postcards are crafted from a rich tapestry of recorded sounds, encompassing the natural echoes of the environment, human-made noises, and spoken narratives. This method not only captures the essence of the project's locale but also serves as a vibrant medium for storytelling and conservation awareness.
The project's objectives are as multifaceted as the team behind it. By developing a series of sonic postcards, IMIsEE aims to encapsulate the heritage and evolving landscape of the initiative, spanning from its historical roots to its aspirations for the future. This endeavour seeks to harness the power of ecomusicology—a field that examines the intersections of music, nature, and culture—to document and disseminate the research and interventions being undertaken.
Moreover, the project is set on enhancing its research through the creation of new sound-based displays, emphasising the urgent issues of coastal and environmental transformation. By fostering a novel collaborative methodology, IMISEE is not just about addressing environmental challenges but also about sparking debate and discussion. It aims to highlight the human and environmental dilemmas confronting coastal communities in South Africa and beyond.
View the exhibition and find out more about the diverse perspectives of ethnomusicologists, natural scientists, digital storytellers and community-based artisans on anthropogenic coastal REgeneration