Witness Stand by Madeleine Flynn, Tim Humphrey, Barry McGuire, and Kylie Bracknell (Kaarljilba Kaardn) was a series of bespoke seating tiers extending from Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) to Walyalup (Fremantle) and through to the Guildford area. Audiences experienced specially commissioned sound works that paid homage to the ancient stories of Whadjuk country and acknowledged the interruptions caused by colonization.
Initially, I was hired to capture ambient sounds and Barry McGuire's traditional Indigenous stories, uses, and history of eight sites along the Derbal Yerrigan. These stories were meant to inspire a soundscape or song for a group of diverse musicians.
Ultimately, my recordings became a major component of the final soundscape, played alongside the musicians' songs. These included ambient sounds of weather and fauna.
In addition to audio, I documented the project with photographs and videos before and during the events. Due to Madeleine and Tim's inability to travel to Perth, I provided HD live streams of each location, allowing them to experience their work remotely.
After compiling months of video documentation and audio, I created a short promotional clip for the artists. This pitch aimed to showcase the project internationally, highlighting the potential for local musicians to interpret the indigenous cultures, stories, history, and locations of other regions. My edit meticulously condensed the audio to retain the intended narrative and feeling.
