Sonic Signage: [murmur], the Refrain, and Territoriality

Abstract

[murmur] is an archival audio project that collects and curates stories set in cities around the globe. At each location, a distinctive [murmur] sign with a telephone number and location code marks where stories are available. While [murmur]'s signs evoke the tradition of neo-Situationist and neo-Lettrist signage, it is the sonic supplement to these signs that is of particular interest. This article contextualizes the relationships that [murmur] establishes between physical signage, recorded sound, and specific geographic locales in both historical and theoretical terms. Thomas Edison originally only permitted demonstrations of the phonograph according to a strict system of territorial licensing, suggesting that there has always been a link between visible language, recorded audio, and territoriality. The article's argument contextualizes and expands on this historical relationship via Deleuze and Guattari's essay "1837: Of the Refrain."

Strategies to animate Toronto's transitional post-industrial waterfront

“…Later marks were made by the area's Portuguese, Caribbean and Southeast Asian residents (Underwood,2003). [murmur] 's inception was informed by a existing communication practices and technologies that combine site-specific work and wireless technologies (Wershler, 2008). Its creators cite…”

“…public radio, and their interest in riding around the city on a bicycle while navigating with a GPS unit (Wershler, 2008). Murmur's storytelling technique is a loose, casual method of sharing history.…”