Silence
in a Sound-Filled Space – Lincoln Cathedral at Exchequergate
Sit
on the bench facing the cathedral immediately before you at the
Exchequergate. It's a visually-charged space, however resist it and
find the silences here, the experience of being held at ground level
within sound, either during the bell-ringing practice or from the
massive sound-absorbing and reflecting structure.
Bell-ringing
is every Thursday 7:30 to 9pm. Thirteen bells fill the space with
sound. Is this acoustic event shaping the space? While sitting can
you find the silences as the bell patterns weave through the air
above you.
If
you visit at other times sound is muted by the proximity of the
imposing edifice. This may be sharpened by the Peregrine Falcons high
on the towers, their cries carving up the space as the bells do, but
with more wit.
In
the 1800's bell-ringers were a swearing, smoking, and drinking lot,
loudly reserving their right to ring only when they felt like it.
Diligent records show that a bell peal of 5,040 changes took three
hours to complete, and people used to stand and listen for the
duration.
Notice
the sounds and the silence out of which they emerge. Experiment with
selective hearing - in quiet places listening for silence calls for
pleasant effort, in a sound-filled space this may take some time!