Seagulls are numerous in most cities around the world. They are social, gregarious, breed quickly and are adaptable to changing conditions. While many animal species are in decline as a result of urban sprawl, the numbers of these birds are increasing. Living in close proximity to humans benefits them because they easily find shelter in the built environment and food is readily available through our waste. In terms of the environmental debate, there is little constructive discussion about these birds, and their abilities to adapt and survive in the conditions we provide for them are rarely applauded.

B is for Bird, C is for City, took place in the Norla Dome at the Mission to Seafarers, Melbourne. Like whispering galleries in cathedrals, the circular shape of this building with its domed ceiling created extraordinary acoustic effects. To engage with these acoustics, field recordings were played in mono, through just one speaker, strategically placed so that the acoustics of the domed roof (rather than audio technology) caused the sound to spread throughout the space, generating an immersive and experiential effect.

Site-specific field recordings that captured the seagulls’ voices contrasted with the voices of three performers.  The performers - Kate Hunter, Vanessa Chapple and Penny Baron - read from bird field guides and imitated the gulls’ voices, echoing some of the content in the field recordings, not unlike a process of call and response. The performers activated the space by moving through it, inhabiting it, calling to each other, reading to each other, responding to audience noise, and listening. Their movements highlighted the acoustics of the space.