The Listening Place soundscape

Sound artist: Dr Ros Bandt | Artwork concept: Julie Shiels 

Location: Alma Park West, near Olive Grove

The Listening Place (2002) is an installation of story telling and poetry about Alma Park, featuring stories in different languages from park users.

On the bluestone paving under the park bench the word 'listen' is inscribed in six different languages. The soundscape creates a contemplative space near the Olive Grove – a symbol of cultural diversity.

This work was created by Ros Bandt (sound artist) and Julie Shiels (artist) and commissioned as part of the Margins, Memories and Markers Project. This unique public art project has drawn on stories from across the community to create six public artworks and 28 bronze plates across the City of Port Phillip.

Over three hundred people contributed more than four hundred stories over a period of six months. These were distilled into six artwork concepts by artist Julie Shiels. The concepts were then developed and realised by a team of artists.

The project was supported by VicHealth’s Arts and Environment Scheme and celebrate the personal memories that connect people to place.

Thanks are extended to all those who so generously shared their stories in 2002 with the artist. 

Recording and composition Ros Bandt, Engineering Iain Mott.

Part of the Port Phillip City Collection, pp2002.20.494