From September 2023 – February 2024, I spent time researching and developing a new project investigating the creation of digital peace monuments in public spaces, supported by a DYCP award from Arts Council England. As part of this, with help from my producers Harry Ross and Helen Scarlett O’Neill (pictured above), I interviewed a small number of female veterans from the British army, to explore the question “What is the Sound of Peace?”.

Having never engaged with the military before, either in my private life or professionally, the project has been a steep learning curve as well as a privilege, offering me a small insight into the lives of those who chose to serve their country in this way.

From the recorded interviews I created two experimental geo-located sonic experiences in London for testing, The test sound works are live on the audio geo-location platform Echoes.xyz for private feedback only, given their sensitive and exploratory nature.

My sincere thanks to Camille Baker, PhD, Hannah West, Hannah Richards, Laura Patrick, PhD and Wendy Faux for their insight and knowledge. A massive thank you also to the veteran interviewees whose voices form the centrepiece of the work, and thanks to the National Army Museum for hosting one of our recording days.

Our eventual aim is to produce a  digital sonic memorial in the shape of a geodesic dome situated in the vicinity of an existing war memorial, to augment the site with the voices of veterans from all walks of life talking about peace, peacekeeping and memorialisation.

We hope to have some more news in the coming months about how the project is evolving and progressing.