Affects and aesthetic speculations | Nicola Di Croce
GrDl 213 | Gruen Digital > [order]
The album is a collection of edited field recordings dealing with the concept of affective atmosphere and human/listener positioning within the sonic environment.
Over the past years I found myself recording sounds in many different places around Europe. In each location I wasn’t simply interested in grasping the character of the place, rather through long recording sessions I was fascinated to explore how to attune to these places, how to dive and disappear within their sonic textures.
This led me to consider listening and recording practices as tools to approach the atmosphere of a place, which could be defined as the intensity emerging from the relations between bodies and the environment.
More Information: Booklet PDF
1. Scafa – 9:12
MP3
The recordings were taken in Cagliari (Italy) in 2018 while I took part in a series of events promoted by the cultural association “L’ambulante”. Their project “Videoritratti in Sardegna” hosted a workshop I curated called “Reframing 3: Sounds, films, margins”. Through this workshop, I investigated the sonic environment of Cagliari’s one of the most marginalized areas of the city, the Doks, together with a group of participants. Thanks to Margherita Pisano and Gaetano Crivaro, who invited me to Cagliari.
2. Quintinio Sella – 10:40
MP3
The recording was taken in Novara (Italy) in 2018, where I was doing location scouting for a sound installation. Walking along a canal, I was fascinated by this urban area for its proximity to the historical center, to the main railway station and for its post industrial character. Thanks to Corrado Beldì who invited me to Novara.
3. Furnas – 8:00
MP3
The recordings were taken in Sao Miguel, Azores (Portugal) in 2017, where I travelled to join the conference “Invisible places. Sound, Urbanism, and sense of place”. After the conference, I went on a field recording trip through the island, exploring the Volcanos, shores and geothermal steam sites. Thanks to Leandro Pisano and my parents, who shared this experience with me.
4. Carbonera – 13:58
MP3
The recordings were taken in the Venice lagoon in 2017, and explored the sonic environment of some abandoned islands of the lagoon, namely Carbonera, Buel del Lovo, and Poveglia. Commonly described as places haunted by spirits, these islands unfolded a deeply natural environment while showing at the same time their closeness to human made infrastructures, such as the Venice international Airport. Thanks to Angela Pescolderung and Enrico Coniglio and for sharing this experience with me.
5. Route 1 – 7:15
The recordings were taken in Iceland in 2017 following the Route 1, the only national road that circles the entire island. Crossing small towns, fjords and glaciers, I was able to record an environment under deep transformation, whereas the impressive fractures of icebergs are among the most important tourist attractions. Thanks to Angela Pescolderung, for sharing this experience with me.
6. Castelforte – 4:59
The recording was taken in the historic center of Venice, Italy, and focused on a street corner where a beggar sat and asked for help while singing a chant that profoundly affected me, as I was living just around the corner. Thanks to the singing man, who made me think deeply about otherness.
6 Tracks (54′04″)
Recordings, composition and mix
Nicola Di Croce
Mastering
Tomislav Bucalic
Graphic design
Angela Pescolderung, Tapiro design
Thanks to
Angela Pescolderung, Lasse-Marc Riek, Enrico Coniglio, Livia Filotico, NUB Project space, Francesca Lenzi, Lorenzo Maffucci, Margherita Pisano, Gaetano Crivaro, Corrado Beldì, Leandro Pisano.
Field Recording Series by Gruenrekorder
Germany / 2023 / GrDl 213 / LC 09488