fromCONCENTRATE

research blog of artist John O'Shea

sound memory city

…quick post in relation to MMME class questions:

Q. What are the sounds of Newcastle city of which you’re most aware?

A. …there was a nice moment one Saturday when Newcastle United scored – the roar from St. James Park…

Q. Do certain sounds trigger your memories for you? What are they? These could be musical sounds as well…

A. …sound last week of particular sony-eriksson mobile phone ring put me into the past… …particular pop songs (Eagle Eye Cherry ‘Save the Night’, Sugar Babes ‘Push the Button’) put me in past workplaces…

MMME: Questions/History/Heritage

# Do you know what year the house you live in was built? How would you find out? Are you interested? Why/why not?

The house here in Newcastle? I rent it – I really couldn’t care less about it. The house in Huddersfield? – that is my parent’s house, where I grew up – I don’t know exactly what year it was built, probably the end of the 1960’s. It’s the end house in a row and it faces a small wood. Apparently they were built as show-houses for the Highland’s council estate (which is behind). There aren’t any people living in the street now, who were there at the beginning, so if I needed to find out more then I think I would have to start at the library, although, thinking about it, if I actually cared – rather than performing some superficial research – I’d be more interested in speaking to people who were there at that time. I’d probably call into a couple of the local shops and pubs/clubs and just find out who might know something – start from there.

# Do you know your own family history? How would you find out? Are you interested? Why/why not?

I know some ‘history’ about my family. I also know that my Grandmother (on my Mother’s side) and my Grandfather (on my Father’s side) both know an incredible amount – going back many generations. If I wanted to find out specific information, then I would ask them but I don’t have a desire to record their knowledge. I’m interested in the stories and details that they have chosen to share with me.

# Do you use any technologies which investigate history? Which ones and how do you use them?

No – I don’t think that I do.

Heart of the City



Photo slideshow of site for “Heart of the City” Mobility 
Media
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Ecologies (MMME) project.
Heart of the City – external site
Mobility 
Media
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Ecologies on DM Blog

(slideshow created using flickrslidr)