Vicki Hallett.
Strange Weather
University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery
Artist Statement
Fractures and Faults is a long-form piece using sounds from a natural artesian spring within the Great Artesian Basin aquifers, Australia. This composition uses field recordings from a series of hydrophones placed within the natural spring where the groundwater seeks fractures of faults and folds in the Great Artesian Basin. Hear the underground turmoil as the pressurized water forces its way through the Fracture Zone, rises to the surface, escapes the discharge vent and flows towards the wetland.
The Great Artesian Basin is a groundwater system resource that covers four states of Australia, over 1.7 million square kilometres. This groundwater system is a vital resource. Many parts of the country have surface water of limited supply or of poor quality. Agriculture, irrigation and industry account for over half the use of this groundwater. Mining and petroleum production industries located within the arid areas of Australia rely solely on groundwater and mainly use resources that are not renewable. Natural ecosystems, including native flora and fauna, depend on this groundwater, often as their only water source. The Great Artesian Basin also has cultural significance for the Aboriginal people for their Creation stories as well as vital water sources, especially in times of drought
About the artists
Vicki Hallett is a versatile musician, field recordist, sound artist, composer, music practitioner and educator. Her focus is to record, compose with, and feature the ever-diminishing habitats and species of our planet. Highlighting unique sounds from the micro to the macro, Hallett utilises sounds we rarely or cannot hear. She has composed, produced and performed in live concerts, international conferences, solo recordings and videos ranging from chamber music to exploratory work with sound art. Hallett travels the world recording nature’s sounds as well as performing in acoustically interesting environments including Mabolel Rock (South Africa) with a pod of Hippopotami and the Amazon jungle.
Credits: Vicki Hallett