Immersive Audio Storytelling: An Exploration of the Potential of Spatial (Multi-channel) Audio to Represent Stephen Lawrence’s Story

Abstract

Soundcloud link: [re]locate

[re]locate is a responsive, multi-channel audio installation revisiting the tragic events surrounding the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence by a gang of white youths in 1993. Derived from earlier AHRC-funded creative practice research, the art installation exploits the immersive properties of spatial (multi-channel) audio to offer an audio reconstruction of events, based on transcripts of witness statements from the Stephen Lawrence Public Inquiry, published as the Macpherson Report in 1999. The exposition aims to provide an overview of the theoretical underpinnings and methodological framework for the original research, which involved developing a prototype immersive audio story environment based on the ‘violence hub’ narrative format, from which the installation was created. Given that the prototype was purpose-designed to unlock the potential of Stephen Lawrence’s story to engage audiences with the complex issue of racism, the exposition concludes with reflections on an analysis of qualitative audience feedback gathered following encounters with the immersive audio story, highlighting the significance of the artwork for spatial audio design and narrative storytelling.

The binaural mix available for listening through headphones re-presents one version of the story from the original multi-channel audio installation.