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Voice of the Water

Voice of the Water by Eric Powell

Black Rotary Phone mounted on a white wall. Written at the center of the phone is voice of the water

Rotary Telephone connects to the sounds of rivers and lakes in and near South River.

Voice of the Water is an interactive rotary telephone-based listening station that is on exhibit at the NAISA North Media Arts Centre in South River starting July 18, 2025.

Using sounds collected from the lakes and rivers around South River, Voice of the Water encourages listeners to connect with the local waterways as they explore the boundaries and overlaps between planes of existence. The Artist’s goal is to create a venue for contemplation, catharsis, and a deeper engagement with the surrounding environment.

Become a Sound Fisher

water rapids between two large rock formations with a man and woman sitting on the rocks with their backs to the camera and facing the rapids.

Sound Fishing at the South River Cascade.

Add your contribution to the installation by helping us record underwater sounds in South River. Equipped with a recorder, hydrophones and other sensitive microphones you will explore the sounds of water in intimate listening proximity.
Participation is FREE and the invitation is ongoing. Call NAISA or Email to make a 2 hour (maximum) appointment.
All weather conditions are possible save for thunder and lightning storms. Dress appropriately for the conditions, including bug protection.

Sound Map of Recording Locations

Eric Powell

Eric Powell smiling wearing headphones with a rotary telephone in the background.

Eric Powell, listening.

In the Media

July 12, 2025 on Making Waves, WGXC Wave Farm – Voice of the Water with Eric Powell by Darren Copeland
July 16, 2025 on Pas comme d’habitude, Radio Canada – L’artiste sonore Eric Powell s’intéresse à « La voix de l’eau by Daniel Aubin
July 17, 2025 on Morning North, CBC Sudbury – New northern Ontario art installation lets visitors call a local river or lake by Jonathan Migneault
July 18, 2025 on As it Happens, CBC Radio – Eric Powell connects listeners to bodies of water via old-fashioned rotary phones by Nil Köksal

Eric Powell

Eric Powell is a sound artist, composer, teacher, and tinkerer. His practice brings together maps, interactive technologies, and field recording to create unique interfaces for exploring both rural and urban sound environments. His work invites users to listen in new ways, challenging them to rethink the role of sound in their daily lives. He is a founding member of several media arts organizations, and has served on the board for both the Canadian Association for Sound Ecology and the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology. Eric regularly collaborates with other artists and academics, enabling him to share his work around the world.