Sound Map of the Nature Hong Kong – AK IN KK – Nature Field Recording HK
The news of the wildfires in the Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world, has occupied the headlines of international news this summer. The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) of Brazil reported over 75,000 fires from January to August in the area, an increase of 84% from last year. The wildfires are exacerbating climate change and a devastating impact on the ecosystem.
Unpredictable Nature
Not everyone gets to visit the Amazon rainforest but we all have experienced the impact of natural disasters. When typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong last year, a large number of trees were destroyed in the coastal areas and country parks and resulted in changes in the landscape. Sound engineer, AK Kan, was inspired by this typhoon disaster and realized that nothing lasts forever. After that, he decided to commence his project “AK IN KK – Nature Field Recording HK” to make sound records of our nature.
“Reaching The Peak is Not the Purpose of Hiking.”
AK was a boy scout when he was young and was very familiar with the country parks, its hiking trails, and ecology. Hiking was his favorite activity out of all the training. The things that he cared most back then was how much distance he has covered, the finishing time or if he could see new scenery from the hikes. We interviewed AK at the Tai Tam Reservoirs where he frequented in his childhood, he recalled that the young AK did not enjoy the gentle path there very much.
Graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, specialized in Sound System Design, AK was disconnected from nature during these busy years in college. After graduating, he returned to the trails and discovered a whole new world with his sound recorder.
“Before my journey of recording, I mainly hiked for the scenery at the peak but now I discovered that some ordinary places in nature can also have interesting sounds. Having a nice sound experience is more exciting than going to the top of the mountain. Sometimes I could not find the source of the sound with my bare eyes but the equipment helps me. In Kowloon Peak, sounds are more diverse at halfway compared to at the peak. Once I visited the top of Lantau Peak and recorded for an hour, turned out only 30 seconds can be used, the remainings are the sound of wind and people talking.” said AK.
AK IN KK is an independent field recording project, the two letters “KK” is the abbreviate that commonly seen on distance posts that represent Hong Kong. AK is now recording nature sounds according to the location of the distance posts.
A Day with Cicadas
When people think of a beautiful countryside photo, the sea of clouds or ridges are always in the mind. Such photos are not difficult to capture in Tai Mo Shan, Tai Long Wan or other popular spots in Hong Kong if weather permits. How about “beautiful” sounds? Where in Hong Kong can it be found?
“The best sound I ever recorded was in Pok Fu Lam Reservoir!” AK raised his voice in excitement. “I live near the reservoir and it is a place that I always go for recording but it was a special day. Once I stepped into the area, I felt like I was surrounded by a chorus of cicadas.” In his journey of sound recording, AK learned that even the scenery is the same, the sound is always different in each visit. He is no longer hiking for scenery but for the sounds in the mountain, the mountains keep him humble.
During the post-production, AK insists not to over-edit or mix the sound. He will only adjust the volume to keep the version as close to the original sound as possible. However, there is a sound in Hong Kong that AK wants to avoid but difficult to – the sound of aircraft.
One Square Inch of Silence
Copyright https://onesquareinch.org/
Other than habitat destruction, noise is another factor that can affect species in the wild. In 1996, air tours were banned over Rocky Mountain National Park in the United States. Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist visited the national parks around the U.S. and tried to look for a silent place. With his decibel meter and recording equipment, Hempton realized that the commercial traffic flying at higher altitudes also degrade the natural soundscape, the banning of air tours was not enough.
Hempton went home after the disappointing road trips and started the research project “One Square Inch of Silence”. He continued to negotiate with the National Park Service and finally, the project is approved with a spot in the Olympic National Park. The exact location is marked by a small red-colored stone. The place is in a 100% noise-free condition with restrictions on mowing, driving, and aircraft in the areas.
In Hong Kong, soundscape management is not even a topic that people would discuss. It is sad to say but when Bruce Lee’s former mansion is to be demolished for building the Chinese studies center, it is hard to believe that our government is willing to protect the quietness of our nature.
“One of the greatest sounds of them all – and to me, it is a sound – is utter, complete silence.”
– André Kostelanetz, Orchestra Conductor, and Arranger
TrailWatch 5th Anniversary Celebration:
【Mountains of the Mind】Seeing the Sounds of Nature
TrailWatch is co-organising a nature field recording tour with sound engineer AK. Participants will join us to look for the sounds of nature and AK will introduce basic recording techniques to the participants.
Date: 9 November (Sat)
Time: 09:30 – 13:30
Fee: HKD120 (The fee is for equipment rental, transportation and mentor fee will be covered by TrailWatch)
Enrollment will open in October, stay tuned to TrailWatch’s Facebook page for updates.
*Please note that the activity will be conducted in Cantonese.
Further Readings:
AK IN KK - NATURE FIELD RECORDING HK
One Square Inch of Silence – Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann