The once future: memories of JoyCam
Aug 17, 2022, 04:17 PM
Composition by Wayne DeFehr.
"The original recording of the JoyCam is used throughout as ambient textures and rhythmic elements, with chance percentages modifying the delay patterns and extended reverbs. These sounds inspired me in several ways - remembering the mechanical sound of this technological innovation from that time. And also thinking of the people behind the JoyCam sounds, "capturing" a meaningful moment.
"These sounds evoke the emotions, human connections, fond memories, that are receding in time even with a picture as a bookmark. Who was taking the picture, what was the reason, who are the people, how do they know each other -- what are their stories? I've always loved looking at old photographs - including of people I don't know. Am drawn to their faces, and the humanity in those fading colours.
"These camera sounds also remind me of my late mother, before cancer took her, taking pictures of me and friends from the neighbourhood during birthday parties. Don't know why, but she would precariously stand on one of the kitchen chairs to take those photos. These days looking at those pictures, I can remember her more than my friends in the photographs - I know she was happy then."
This is part of the Obsolete Sounds project, the world’s biggest collection of disappearing sounds and sounds that have become extinct – remixed and reimagined to create a brand new form of listening. Explore the whole project at https://citiesandmemory.com/obsolete-sounds
"The original recording of the JoyCam is used throughout as ambient textures and rhythmic elements, with chance percentages modifying the delay patterns and extended reverbs. These sounds inspired me in several ways - remembering the mechanical sound of this technological innovation from that time. And also thinking of the people behind the JoyCam sounds, "capturing" a meaningful moment.
"These sounds evoke the emotions, human connections, fond memories, that are receding in time even with a picture as a bookmark. Who was taking the picture, what was the reason, who are the people, how do they know each other -- what are their stories? I've always loved looking at old photographs - including of people I don't know. Am drawn to their faces, and the humanity in those fading colours.
"These camera sounds also remind me of my late mother, before cancer took her, taking pictures of me and friends from the neighbourhood during birthday parties. Don't know why, but she would precariously stand on one of the kitchen chairs to take those photos. These days looking at those pictures, I can remember her more than my friends in the photographs - I know she was happy then."
This is part of the Obsolete Sounds project, the world’s biggest collection of disappearing sounds and sounds that have become extinct – remixed and reimagined to create a brand new form of listening. Explore the whole project at https://citiesandmemory.com/obsolete-sounds