900 Voices has been commissioned by St Giles 900: part of the Cathedral’s anniversary celebrations – when St Giles became a cathedral, when Edinburgh became a city.
This was an imaginative and contemporary production, whereby people from different walks of life, though all resident in the city, were invited to record their diverse thoughts about belonging, community and connection. This database of recordings being constantly added to, the computerised system then plays a selection of snippets of those conversations from the every-expanding palette of voices.
Each cycle is therefore unique, containing an element of random selection while simultaneously trying to link related words and themes. The ‘voices’ were sometimes intermittent, sometimes faint; muffled, blurred and often confused – peppered occasionally with painful cries. There was an irony in being able to hear the joyful music from the bagpipes outside.
The ‘voices’ came from all the cathedral’s corners and sections. This provided for an awkward but immersive juxtaposition within the silence and sanctity of the church. Many people just sat, paused, and made the time to listen; others used the space to wander, wonder and ponder. Probably like the voices being heard, all walks of life seemed to be finding some sanctuary here.
The sacred and secular were oddly brought together in this event – maybe interfaced by that theme of looking for connection, calm and cohesion, amidst the cacophony of sounds that swirl around us. Towards the end of the recorded compilation during my own half hour, the clips drew on the phrase: “and so” – there was something emotive (yet hopeful) being expressed by this message; maybe, sometimes, new technologies can encourage us to look for those links that we might otherwise sometimes miss.
The recording played for just under half an hour. For some, this may have been a different and rather limited experience. For others, this was a welcome oasis just to be still and reflect.
The event finished at 7.30pm
Event: Saturday 10th August at 7.00pm
During the Festival: half-hourly evening slots (times vary) – £5
September to November: every Wednesday, 4pm-6pm – free