Point​/​Call - Golden sun bird (Chengdu, China)

from Well​-​Being Cities by Cities and Memory

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Chengdu temple reimagined by Point/Call.

"I named this song, “Golden Sun Bird” after an ancient artifact unearthed in Chengdu in 2001, now the logo of China Cultural Heritage.
History is important, understanding where we have been helps us navigate what’s ahead.

The sound I was given to work with was recorded at Wenshuyuan Temple in Chengdu, China. To me, this recording is a perfect example of the past being honored and celebrated while the city ebbs and flows in tandem. Chengdu is unique in that it is one of China’s oldest cities, and yet, also a shining international exemplar of modern economic, financial, commercial, culinary and cultural awareness. The city has been deemed the happiest city in China by it’s residents, it is easy to commute within the city thanks to cutting edge public transit and it boasts creative architecture and a flourishing arts scene. Planning is even underway for a completely self sustaining district with parks and other amenities within walking distance for all locals.

In writing this song, I started with the sound itself, a recording of a Buddhist ritual with the sounds of urban life swirling in the background, which I step modulated into a beat that leads into the strum and plucking of a pipa, the historical “voice” of the song, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument. In sync with the pipa, I played some keys tuned to airy nostalgia, while looking to the future with a modern drum machine and later a futuristic organ rising before the the music gently leads into the bridge. A modulated spoken sutra is complimented by a ring-shifted pipa before leading back into the main theme of the song and the rising crescendo of the finish. all elements representing past, present and future existing harmoniously in celebration."

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from Well​-​Being Cities, released October 19, 2022

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Cities and Memory Oxford, UK

Cities and Memory is one of the world’s biggest sound projects, a global, collaborative sound art and field recording programme with the aim of remixing the world, one sound at a time. It covers more than 100 countries and territories with 5,000+ sounds and more than 1,000 contributing artists.
Thousands of field recordings, recomposed and reimagined by artists around the world. ... more

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