Field Recording #5 – Coming and Going

When walking down the sidewalk on Wisconsin Ave, I took note of the cars passing back and forth to the left of me. I decided to set up the stereo microphones on both sides of the median near Calhoun Rd. to capture the traffic coming and going in both directions.

Listen to it here. (MP3 - 1:08)
Recorded on 02/25/09 at approx. 1:47p.m. in Brookfield, WI.

Field Recording #4 – Vent Feedback

When recording the cutting in the previous post, a nearby air vent powered up and began to belt out a high-pitched, vibrating hum that sounds much like audio feedback.

Listen to it here. (MP3 - 1:09)

Recorded on 02/25/09 at approx. 12:44p.m. in Brookfield, WI.

Field Recording #3 - Cutting

As I was walking through the western rear of the Fashion Center, I heard the faint sounds of drilling/carving through the backdoor of “The Great Frameup.” When I came closer to the door, I could detect the smell of cut wood.

Listen to it here. (MP3 - 1:10)

Recorded on 02/25/09 at approx. 12:37p.m. in Brookfield, WI.

Field Recording #2 – Sewer Water

In a small parking lot in the eastern rear of the Fashion Center, melting snow and ice was slowly draining into a sewer.

Inside the sewer, it sounded like this. (MP3 - 0:33)

Recorded on 02/25/09 at approx. 12:01p.m. in Brookfield, WI.

Field Recording #1 – Squealing Pipes

Soon after starting the drift, I noticed the hissing of water through pipes on the east side of the Fashion Center. Upon closer inspection, the water meter was letting out a persistent squealing noise with increases in the flow of water.

Listen to it here. (MP3 - 0:51)

Recorded on 02/25/09 at approx. 11:42a.m. in Brookfield, WI.

Drift Strategy

I thought it would be interesting to sketch (map) an area like I was the dot on an etch-a-sketch, but without crossing my path. Similar to the commercial nature of an etch-a-sketch, I thought it would be appropriate to sketch a commercial area. When looking for places to sketch, I seemed to be fixated on the area surrounding the “Brookfield Fashion Center” firstly for the odd shape of the building itself, but also for the scattering of buildings around it. Starting on one corner of the building, I will sketch my way around back to where I started – tracing the area – without crossing where I have already traversed. I have a feeling that the final result will not be as precise (or as clean) as a literal sketching would be, especially depending on distant sounds that may have me stray from the path to investigate, but that is what will make this Drift interesting!

Drift One - Map

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