Unlocking Creativity: Surprising Discoveries from Our Collaborative Imagination Project

Reflecting on the journey of designing and executing the pilot project for 'Entangled Imaginations' has been deeply moving, like embarking on a modern-day vision quest. Drawing inspiration from indigenous traditions, including two trips to Brazil to meet with Indigenous wisdom keepers, I chose to be intentionally mindful and respectful of ancestral ways whilst nurturing an approach to reconnecting with nature. My hope was that it would  inspire a deep transformation in my local community's relationship with our local natural environment.

I also drew on my personal creative process, which embraces polyphonic rhythms (multiple melodies or voices creating a harmonious blend of sounds, similar to the sounds of nature), the visceral experience of frisson (that deep internal shiver from something intense like music or bird song), and synaesthesia (blending senses to perceive the world in curious multilayered ways). I valued the chance to approach the project with playfulness, curiosity, and an open mind, which meant that I had to let go of my personal expectations and allow the collective imagination to shape the soundscape, reflecting our shared connections with nature.

I had to let go of my ego as a designer and artist!

The project began with a series of planning sessions with the Friends of the Earth Experiments Team and some members of my local community here in Greenwich. Our aim was to collaborate on designing an immersive narrative soundscape that would deeply connect with local residents.

I designed a 90 minute sound walk that took in the contrasting sounds of an area of London with a vibrant history of sound. I invited a few members of the community to join me on these walks (similar in essence to Street Wisdom walks or Vision Quests). These walks centred around the elemental themes of ether (silences between sounds), air (giving depth and perspective to sound), fire (the metamorphosis of sounds by things such as the seasons), water (the perceived distortion of time when immersed in this new sound space), and earth (grounding oneself after the experience), all aimed at reawakening and stimulating old and new interconnected relationships with nature. I created safe(r) spaces for people to trust me and let themselves be enveloped in the aliveness of the area. These walks nurtured deep and often surprising connections with their/ our immediate environment. As we explored each elemental theme, from the serene spaces of ether to the vibrant ecosystems of earth, my companions experienced noticeable shifts in their perspectives. They transitioned from feeling anxious and preoccupied to experiencing a sense of lightness and tranquillity. One participant, initially apprehensive about nature, experienced a transformative shift after the walk. They developed a desire to engage in community projects, seeing it as a personal responsibility for their education and wishing to share their newfound experiences. This elemental sound walk opened their eyes to the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of stewardship. One intriguing and powerful breakthrough moment was when one participant discovered that locally produced honey could alleviate their hay fever symptoms. Suddenly, they had a newfound appreciation for local nature and rewilding initiatives, highlighting the vital role of education and awareness in nurturing a deeper connection with the environment.

Throughout the project, I found myself drawn to the animistic qualities increasingly present in all aspects and expressions of my thinking and my work, the belief in the unique spiritual essence of objects, places, and creatures. This perspective has significantly enriched my creative process, guiding me to create polyphonic, multilayered, soundscapes that transcended mere auditory perception but that also resonate on a deeply somatic level, connecting with the soul.

What happens next? 

I am keen to continue to expand and contract with the flow of this project, much like the waters of the Thames. I’m going to take some time to dig deeper into a few potential scenarios including rolling this out to other communities or continue to work on this first version and amplify its potential impact in the form of an immersive exhibition. All wonderfully ambitious and dependent on securing additional funding, but I think that I will probably start by keeping it simple; by producing some little interventions in the form of guerrilla art. So, if you are walking around Greenwich and Deptford, keep your eyes and ears open for signs of an invitation to join me on this playfully somatic sonic adventure. 

I want to thank all of those involved in this project, Mandy Holden and Mary Stevens, from the Experiments Team at Friends of the Earth, Paul de Zylva, Melissa, Carmel, Camiel, Ricardo and The College of Extraordinary Experiences who kickstarted this adventure. 

I appreciate this opportunity and you all.

To listen to the final soundscape please use this link.