Black Hill never sounded so good

RECORDED noises and voices are sharing a neighbourhood’s stories within a sensory walk.

Inspired by her unique home corner of Ballarat, right at the foot of Black Hill, artist and producer Amy Tsilemanis has created a downloadable auditory experience.

The Webb Avenue and Black Hill Audio Walk project is a “neighbourly community piece” made in lockdown, inviting residents to tune into diverse local stories, voices and sounds, while taking a wander around Black Hill Reserve area.

“The audio walk is very atmospheric,” Tsilemanis said.

“If you started near the footbridge at the end of Newman Street, put your headphones on and pressed play, you could take a wander, hear Michael Westlake’s beautiful music, the sounds of the birds, people playing, and the richness of the environment.”

Featured personalities and storytellers include justice of the peace Harry Gibcus, Friends of Black Hill Reserve’s Neil Huybregts, community leaders Jack and Geraldine Vorstenbosch, and more.

“The whole idea kicked off after I met Harry at the police station. He grew up around Webb Avenue in the 50s and 60s, so of course I had to interview him, and this was the opportunity to do it.

“He talks about what Black Hill was like then, going adventuring and skinny-dipping in what was the Yarrowee Creek,” Tsilemanis laughed.

“It goes through to people who moved here more recently, like Neil, who’s really involved with native and local plantings in the area, and I’ve also researched the mining history, so there’s different layers of the Hill shared.”

Contributors, including Westlake who lives at the end of Tsilemanis’ street, have supplied audio files for curation, with some in-person interviews between stage three restriction periods to keep the production COVID safe.

Tsilemanis is energised to create a flexible work where each listener will have a unique experience.

“When you’re walking through the space, something that you’re hearing might have a chance encounter with something that you’re seeing on your walk,” she said.

“It’s best with headphones, and if you can’t get out of your house that’s okay, all you have to do is listen.”

Tsilemanis has produced various audio works over the past few years, including a theatrical tour of the Ballarat Railway Station. An upcoming project involves her second-hand store.

“I’m making a Minerva’s Books and Ideas podcast which people can look out for, so this audio tour gives people a taste of what my style is like, putting people into immersive, experiential, creative work.”

Visit amytsilemanis.com.au to access the Webb Avenue and Black Hill audio walk.