Many Dances’- a multi-channel sound installation for the boardwalk opposite the amphitheatre on Wollundry Lagoon. The installation consists of a computer controlled system that generates a continually changing immersive soundscape, sensors that turn on the system when people are present and an array of 7 small speakers that will be placed under the floor of the boardwalk.
The soundscape will be generated from a collection of short recordings of dance gestures made on the boardwalk (foot falls, shuffles and scrapes etc with shoes, boots and bare feet). In presenting the sonic detail of dance gestures, audiences are drawn into the specifics of their own embodied experience of dance while at the same time provoked to consider this experience in the context of Wagga Wagga as ‘the place of many dances’.

Wagga Wagga's first public corroboree since 1870s https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-28/wagga-wagga-corroboree-2019/11644142

Wagga Wagga's first public corroboree since 1870s https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-28/wagga-wagga-corroboree-2019/11644142

Wagga Wagga's first public corroboree since 1870s https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-28/wagga-wagga-corroboree-2019/11644142

The Dixieland Dancefloor on the Murrumbidgee 1930’s https://regionriverina.com.au/riverina-rewind-when-wagga-danced-on-the-water-under-the-stars/ 7312/

The entrance gate to ‘Dixieland’ https://onrecordblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/18/beach-babies-on-the-bidgee/

Dixieland Melody Makers https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3623865/new-pics-surface-of-waggas-riverside-dancefl oor/?cs=156

installation plan Wollundry Lagoon
Lung Trees and Bird Child Spirit are recent sound installations that are the basis for Many Places. Please note that multi-channel sound is not well represented in stereo. For more examples of my audio work see: https://bentnail.art/sonic-art
Visitor feedback" “very beautiful” “brilliant” “powerful” “moving” "very cool" "delightful"
Imaginary Ornithology, Burrinja Upwey, 2012. It was a very ambitious project that used a range of sophisticated technologies. It demonstrates my technical competence and on going interest in birds, nature and community engagement.
A gallery of photos and images from my recent work. Note that all visual art is created by me (Peter Mcilwain), The equipment used for Many Places will not include a solar power system but the relevant diagrams show the technical and physical design of the system.

Lung Trees: Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens 2023 (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Lung Trees art

Lung Trees site (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Lung Trees art

Lung Trees site (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Lung Trees art

Lung Trees site (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Lung Trees site (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Bird Child Spirit: Selby 2022 (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Bird Child Spirit: Selby 2022 (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Bird Child Spirit: Selby 2022 (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Bird Child Spirit: Selby 2022 (photography by Cathy Ronalds)

Main housing on Lung Trees site

Equipment visualisation
