Experiencing The Park Through Informed Eyes by

Movement

ellaryan — 2020-05-13 12:02:08 UTC

Within the first few seconds of the pan, you can see a woman walking towards me along the walking track. As the video pans across the football oval, the trees in the distance sway in the strong winds. All of a sudden, a bird flies across the screen at a fast pace, almost at eye level. Later two more birds are seen in the top left corner, also moving at an extremely fast pace. Showing no fear flying very close to myself and my dog. In the distance on the opposite side of the oval, you can see a dog running off-leash chasing a ball. The leaves bring a lot of peace to the scenery as they are softly moving with the breeze. Throughout you can see the shadows swaying casting shade from the afternoon sun, from the abundance of trees. As the clouds seem stationary, you can see a few people exercising throughout the walking tracks. Along with all this movement, there is also a lot of stillness. The clouds, grass and light poles all stationary, while the movement mostly comes from the trees and wildlife.

Sound

ellaryan — 2020-05-13 12:02:14 UTC

As I sat on the park bench, I heard the rainbow lorikeets with such loud pitches chirping. With a nearby bang at the beginning coming from a nearby construction sight, the birds seem to pause. In this pause from the birds, I can hear the sounds of a truck or machinery wheels as they turn against the road. There is even a man’s voice that faintly yells something behind me, presumably from the same housing construction. As the phone pans across the park, there is a humming of wind hitting the speaker. Listening closely to the wind rustling through the surrounding trees, you can hear as each gust of wind brushes past. The faint noise of a truck beeping in reverse is quickly overpowered again by the birds as they erupt in conversation. As the beeping returns the serenity of the naturals noises is overshadowed. The most interesting sound impact in the clip is that of the birds, and how they chatter amongst the tree tops, while passers by idle, with the birds having conversations of their own. I have never done an activity like this, and I think that it could be used in an early childhood education setting on a rainy day or indy day. Having the children just sitting listening to what mother nature has to offer is a very calming experience that can bring upon a lot of conversation.

Combination of Movement & Sound

ellaryan — 2020-05-13 12:02:17 UTC

When combining the grass, trees, birds and surrounding conditions there is an obvious sense of calmness. Bringing together the still clouds, strong winds shown from the sounds and trees swaying, shows the tranquility on a windy day. With the birds chirping and the one even flying across the scene, this is obviously a rich environment for wildlife to live and gather. Although my video features a lot of movement and sounds, there isn't much that brings those two elements together, but individual they create a powerful scene. The animation video titled 'Dreaming' ( Dreaming Boon Wurrung, 2014), commissioned by the Arts Centre in Melbourne, features many similar noises like the birds and the wind. These are noises that have been heard for generations but in present times can be taken for granted, while they were previously used for hunting, gathering and living purposes by indigenous Australians. In the afternoon sun in this park, there is a place for everyone as in the community, inclusivity is important. As i left this spot, I began my walk home, taking the time to listen and observe my surrounding creating a clear headspace. Keeping in mind the way that music is a language, as taught to me in the TEDx video by Victor Wooten, I make a connection to how the surrounding environment is a whole language of its own. The way the trees move with the breeze, making the birds move and talk, casting shadows from the sun is all an intellectual way of communication between all of the forces. Wooten talks about how "you weren't taught [english], it was just spoken to you" (Music as a Language, 2013), similar to how some people weren't taught how to play music but how to feel it, while others were not taught how to listen to the earth but just listen and hear what it's telling them.

My Video

ellaryan — 2020-05-13 12:04:56 UTC

My Location

ellaryan — 2020-05-13 13:02:37 UTC

This video was shot at my local high school oval space. I spend a lot fo time here everyday with my dog, friends and also for regular exercise. I have a strong connection to this place as it was where i spent a lot of my time during high school as well as weekends watching sports events. Sitting on my favourite bench, I panned across the space on a Wednesday afternoon while walking the dogs with a friend.

References

ellaryan — 2020-05-14 01:29:10 UTC

Dreaming (Boon Wurrung) 2014, online video, Arts Centre Melbourne, viewed 13 May 2020, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDc1yggfVAY>
Music as a Language: Victor Wooten at TEDxGabriolaisland 2013, online video, TEDx Talks, viewed 13 May 2020, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=61&v=2zvjW9arAZ0&feature=emb_logo>