Noises for Listening

‘The nature of the work Deveron Projects’ supports means that significant parts of it exist only in the lived memories of the artists and participants (a distinction that is itself blurry). With Jenny’s help, I had conversations with several local residents who have deep ties with the organisation, and who allowed me to listen in on their memories of listening.’

- Johanna Linsley

The second gathering in our public training programme ‘Love Is…’, will present a new performance and sound project by artist and writer Johanna Linsley in collaboration with sound artist Nicol Parkinson.

Following Johanna’s Independent Residency at Deveron Projects in May 2025, Noises for Listening interrogates the often extractive, one-sided, complex and ‘thorny’ practice of listening in community and arts practice. Starting from Deveron Projects’ archives and exploring these as archives of listening, Johanna will share a performance that builds from documentation of the sounds audiences make when listening. Through this and discussion, we will think critically and creatively about listening, asking: who listens and who gets listened to? Can we train to become better listeners? Is it ever better not to listen (but to tell, exchange, reciprocate instead)?

Join us in creating a more collaborative and community-wide culture of learning and organising together. The performance will lead to a public conversation about Deveron Projects’ archival practices, about listening in arts and community settings, and how listening to traces of the past can inform thinking about the future.

About Johanna Linsley

Johanna Linsley is an artist, writer and producer. Her work is iterative, research-based and focused on performance, sound and text. It often results in projects with multiple versions or outcomes. Current interests include documentation, procedure, listening (especially eavesdropping), queer domesticity, forms of assembly and collective imagination.

Johanna is part of the London-based live art collective I’m With You, which investigates queerness, domesticity, private life and public space. She is also a founding partner of UnionDocs, a centre for documentary art in Brooklyn, New York. She is based at the University of Dundee, on the east coast of Scotland.

Accessibility

• The event is at Deveron Projects offices at The Brander Building, The Square, Huntly, AB54 8BR, Scotland. Level access available via Huntly Library entrance

• Dinner will be provided - do let us know on booking if you have any allergies or dietary requirements.

• The event will be lively with up to 20 people participating.