Sonic Wells for Gallipoli

Throughout history the fundamental human need for water has brought people together - around billabongs, streams and wells. In this work three 'sonic wells' will become contemporary gathering places, ‘drawing’ on both the history and the nature of the well as meeting place, and expanding its potential by connecting the geographically separate communities in a collective realtime soundscape. Each well will collect ambient sounds which, transmitted live, will be emitted from its sister wells, as if via virtual holes through the earth; the audio emitted from each well will be clear enough that people will be able to hold conversations from one location to another.

'Sonic Wells for Gallipoli', a tri-national installation by internationally renowned public artist Allan Giddy, will link Turkey (Canakkale), New Zealand (Wellington) and Australia (Auburn) in realtime for 3 months during 2016 via communal 'sound wells', opening on Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, 23 April.

All three wells will be sited in busy public locations, where they will be both visited intentionally and encountered by chance. The Wellington site is Cuba Mall, a bustling pedestrian city centre hub that is frequented day and night; Canakkale's location is a public plaza that leads to the ferry port, the jumping-off point for 'pilgrims' to Gallipoli; and Auburn's is the recently developed Auburn Memorial Park, at the heart of Sydney's largest Turkish community.

The project offers multiple alternatives to the majority of the public WWI commemorations and reflections taking place during the WWI centenary years in the three countries and around the world.

Firstly, it will simultaneously symbolise, facilitate, and become an integral part of the evolving story of Anzac-Turkish relations—a connection between the people of these three nations that has developed out of the adversity which originally brought them together. Australia's 'well' will be located in Auburn, home to Australia's largest Turkish community. Sitting alongside the recently unveiled Australian-Turkish Friendship Wall—inscribed with Ataturk's legendary 1934 tribute to the Anzacs who lost their lives at Gallipoli—it will again evince the mutual respect engendered between Anzac and Turkish soldiers which inspired Ataturk's address.

Secondly, the Turkish diaspora communities in Wellington and Auburn, many of whose relatives participated in WWI, will not only be brought closer to their homeland, but also afforded a voice during the centenary via this inclusive, communicative commemoration.

Thirdly, in a contemporary extension of the ‘pilgrimage’ to Gallipoli, Antipodeans visiting the Peninsula will be able to commune with loved ones who have gathered at the sister wells back home, sharing their disparate experiences of contemplating and honouring the lives and memories of their Anzac relatives.

And lastly, sited on the walk to Auburn’s Gallipoli Mosque, Australia's well will more than hint at ongoing tensions in the Middle East, whilst serving as an active and positive catalyst for a coming together of nations.

Simultaneous opening in all 3 locations: 23 April at 9am (Canakkale) / 4pm (Auburn) / 6pm (Wellington)

On Anzac Day (25 April), a minute of silence will be observed at all 3 wells simultaneously during each of the three dawn services.