"Native Skywatchers - Soundscape Workshop”

A Collaborative Research Project Investigating Acoustics and Sonic Art with Moving Images!

This interdisciplinary project "Soundscapes Above and Below" was carried out in the Mayan zone of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo in partnership with Colegio Montessori Julia Ambros in Cozumel. Led by Milagros Ramirez Varguez and her team of local educators, fifteen students ages 11-15 attended this in person three-day Soundscape Workshop in July of 2024.This represented a great opportunity to bring this cohort to an area with little academic offerings and without a course of this type.

Co-I M. Varguez's team included local biologist ltzel Arista - Biologist, Culture for Conservation of the Natural Protected Areas Commission of Cozumel and astronomy specialist, Tony Rios of Cha'an Ka'an - Cozumel Planetarium. Three field sites included: (1)Jungle/Forest near Planetarium: (2) Cenote Aerolito - Flora and Fauna Protection Area; and (3) Playa de Corona within Cozumel Reefs National Park. Local knowledge is fundamental to deeply understand the cultural. social. and environmental dynamics of community. This type of knowledge not only preserves unique trand1t1ons and practices but aslo offers insights and solutions tailored to local challenges. Integrating local knowledge promotes sustainability and strengthens the sense of 1dent1ty and cohesion within communities.

Colegio Montessori Julia Ambros - Part 1 - Forest/Jungle Soundscape

Original production CMJA ©2024 All Rights Reserved. Used with permission Native Skywatchers. 

Colegio Montessori Julia Ambros - Part 2 - Underwater Soundscape

Original production CMJA ©2024 All Rights Reserved. Used with permission Native Skywatchers. 

Colegio Montessori Julia Ambros - Part 3 - Cenote Soundscape

Original production CMJA ©2024 All Rights Reserved. Used with permission Native Skywatchers. 

Colegio Montessori Julia Ambros - Part 4 - LSCS Beach Underwater Soundscape

Original production CMJA ©2024 All Rights Reserved. Used with permission Native Skywatchers. 

 

The Julia Ambros School , is located in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico. From the website, "At the Julia Ambros School, those who are part of the adolescent community are in charge of managing the garden and the chicken coop, the kitchen and cleaning the rooms. They are also the ones who define communal goals related to academic and life experiences (trips and events)." 

Soundscape Workshop, Colegio Montessori Julia Ambros

"Field Site, NSW Soundscape Workshop"

Native Skywatchers-Sound Collage, We make sounds together in a circling sonic art orchestra!

"Sound Collage, Colegio Montessori Julia Ambros-Soundscapes ©2024.