Created by artist Leah Barclay, Rainforest Listening is a project using augmented reality and geolocated field recordings to expose nature soundscapes and generate ecological awareness towards critical sonic environments from the Amazon rainforest.
The process consists on planting sounds across certain territory. Using a mobile device, users can walk around the place and listen to the different sounds, as it recently happened in the city of Paris in COP21, where over 100 sounds were mapped and available to be explored.
The soundsapes are tagged and played using an app called Recho, which includes the map with geolocated audio, inviting listeners to walk through iconic locations and create a singular experience of contrasted sounsdcapes and territories. There’s also another listening option, with an app called Podwalk, which offers custom 30 minute-long podcasts in which the geolocated sounds play continuously.
“At the core of this experience Rainforest Listening showcases one of the most critical environments on earth, the Amazon Rainforest. The installation features pristine sounds recorded in a diversity of ecosystems including lowland tropical rainforest with abundant wildlife. Listeners can hear the rich biodiversity of insects and birdlife and those who venture deeper into the sound maps can discover the endangered Amazon River dolphins or elusive howler monkeys hidden in iconic locations throughout Paris.”