If you have been to Glasgow Women’s Library you will know that it is a treasure trove of historical, literary, feminist artefacts, and more. Last autumn we had the monstrous task of cleaning and clearing out the library (an ongoing task, I might add), and made some peculiar discoveries. Lurking in the depths of the archives were sealed jars of water, a bag full of clip-on earrings, handbags, musical instruments, curtains, old socks, and a giant inflatable snowman. It just reminded me that GWL is like no other library, and all the better for it.
When Nicky Bird, artist-in-residence, came to GWL, she was instantly drawn to the archives. She spent some time with Hannah and the archive volunteers, observing their processes – opening boxes, cataloguing, wrapping, and re-boxing. She became aware of a rhythm in their work: the repeated sounds of paper being folded, cardboard boxes being slashed open and sealed shut. The more time Nicky spent in the space, the more she noticed that there was something unique about the GWL archives – the noise! There is a constant hum of walking, multi-lingual talking, boxes dragging, doors slamming, phones ringing, buzzer buzzing…
When Nicky asked me to help her with her new project – creating a sound archive – I could not wait to start experimenting. In phase one, we practised recording sounds close-up, including paper folding, badge making, water dripping, and the lift. It was interesting to hear how alien these very familiar sounds became when taken out of context; especially the lift, which sounded like some raging mechanical monster lurching after you.
As Nicky is in Australia for a month, she asked me to continue the recordings for her. We decided on set days and times in which to place the Marantz recording device somewhere within the archives and set it to record for an hour at a time. When she returns, Nicky will have hours of material to experiment with, and I cannot wait to see (or hear) what happens next.
If you have been in the library recently, you may have noticed some information posters about the project. If not, here are the details:
MAKING SPACE: ARCHIVE HOUR
We know that the Glasgow Women’s Library is a unique place with a special atmosphere made by the women who work and learn here. Throughout February we want to try to capture this atmosphere by making sound recordings of the library. This poster will tell you when and where the recordings will take place, and also tell you more about what is involved.
When?
The recordings may take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays between 10-11 in the morning and 2-3 in the afternoon. Look out for a notice that says “Recording in Progress.”
Do I have to keep quiet?
No: Carry on as normal. If you use your mobile phone when the “Recording in Progress” sign is up, go into the kitchen where you won’t get recorded. Any mobile phone call that is accidentally recorded will be cut from the recording.
Will my voice be identified?
No: As the recording machine is in the archive. If anyone’s voice does come out clearly on the recording, we will ask your permission to keep it in the recording. It will be easy to remove from the recording.
Can I say no to the recording?
Yes: Of course. We don’t want to stop anyone enjoying the library. See Nisha and she will turn the recorder off.
What will the recordings be used for?
The Making Space Project – One of the artists, Nicky Bird, is working with staff and volunteers to create a sound archive of the library. Extracts of the Sound Archive will be played first to the Making Space Focus Group to help decide what happens to the recordings next.
*** What sounds do you notice in GWL? If you could sum up GWL in a sound or object, what would it be? ***
If you would like any more information about this project or Making Space in general, please leave a comment below or phone us on 0141 552 8345.
