Sonic Contamination – an exercise in Extended Listening

Come and join an intimate extended listening workshop exploring the hidden voices and vibrations located around Croydon’s Ecology Centre.

How can we begin to connect to the more-than-human worlds, and ecologies around us – through sound?

This outdoor workshop explores ideas of sonic bridging between humans and ecologies. Participants are guided through different exercises exploring deep listening and field recording. Revealing worlds of sound normally inaudible to our human perception – creating extended listening states. These exercises are explored individually and collectively forming a sonic-web of relationship between participants and the acoustic ecologies explored.

No prior experience is needed – please note participants will be outside and walking for part of the workshop.

This event is part of At The Meadow’s Edge, Turf’s summer programme taking place across green spaces in Croydon.

ABOUT LAURA SELBY

Laura Selby is a Croydon based interdisciplinary artist, sonic experience designer and researcher. Fascinated in revealing hidden perspectives and narratives through sonification, from mycelium, moss, concrete to microbe. Her methodologies include extended field recordings, participatory workshops, performance and sculpture to create deeper, empathetic connections and revel in the polyphonic chorus of hidden ecologies. Selby works at the intersection of sound, science, and community, incorporating scientific techniques and emerging sonic machine-learning tools to elevate non-human perspectives and spark critical dialogue.

Laura’s crafted workshops engage communities and expand both personal and collective ways of listening – sharing in research-led encounters that inspire discussion and connection. These have produced outcomes such as her Extended Listening workshops developed in Epping Forest and Omved Gardens alongside Mushroom Community Garden design with The South London Urban Growers (The Remakery). Most recently, creating The Listening Garden, a workshop and installation for the V&A (Feb 2025).

Selby’s work has been exhibited in shows and festivals across the UK and Europe, including Ars Electronica 2024 (Linz), the V&A, Digital Design Weekend 2023 (London), Nieuwe Instituut (Rotterdam), Truman Brewery (London), IRCAM Forum – Centre Pompidou (Paris), E20 Lab Regenerative Fashion Hub (London), The Design Museum (London), Old Street Gallery in partnership with LG (London). Performances include Sonic Contamination at Omved Gardens 2024 and the Tate Modern Lates event April 2024, June 2023 (London), Shirley Dawn at IKLECTIK Art Lab (London) and art film: More Than Concrete at Lewisham Home Film Festival (London).