Elizabeth Ellis

Playing the Burrard Street Bridge with Sound (2019)

A soundwalk by Helena Krobath, Julie Hammond Matthew Ariaratman, and Elizabeth Ellis, presented by Vancouver Soundwalk Collective and Vancouver New Music as part of Soundwalk Sunday, organized by the Museum of Walking in the UK. Sunday, September 1, 2019.

Hosted by artists from the Vancouver Soundwalk Collective and the Soundscape Show (Co-op Radio 100.5 FM), join us in turning the Burrard Bridge into a giant musical instrument. The railings of Burrard Bridge create multi-tonal sounds, launching vibrations that reach the walkers behind. In this ‘noisewalk’, we will form a chain of bridge players, creating a mass of resonant pitches with everyday implements. We will provide a few light implements, such as maple stems and spoons—or bring your own!

Bridges are engineering feats designed to carry heavy loads, span wide spaces, and resist the elements. They create crossing points at some locations and not others and are often windy, noisy, and bare—a place to cross quickly, despite panoramic views. In this soundwalk, we re-consider the bridge as a place to play. Rather than hurrying, we invite participants to explore a thought, feeling, or intention through sound, allowing the large vibrations of the bridge railings to mingle with the noise of others.