Kaamos: Sound Listening Meditation

As we approach Finland’s darkest month, we honestly dread this time of year (since we both come from temperate climates). So when our friend, the talented musician and field recording sound artist Yoichi Kamimura shared his thoughts about a guided listening experience of his new and recent releases, we thought what a perfect way to be transported away from these dark times.

Yoichi has a magical way of capturing the beauty from the still – highlighting sounds we may pass in our daily hustle and bustle and showcasing their intrinsic musicality. In his recent release “Sonavira” he takes this artistry to a whole new world most have never experienced in the Amazon rainforest.

So on the very weekend of daylight savings when overnight the clocks change and night comes before the day starts, Yoichi and mindfulness facilitator Jutta Wiens invite you to Kaamos, a very special immersive listening session and mediation, to help us both embrace and move through the darkness.

For Kaamos, each day consists of two extended listening meditations guided by Jutta, with Yoichi’s works played in their original physical formats on vinyl and cassette. Between the two, we will make and share tea inspired by the sounds of the sessions.

We will listen to recordings gathered from very different bodies of water and landscapes: drift ice moving along the coast of Shiretoko, the Amazon rainforest in Manaus, waters from Kyoto and Yakushima, the Paraná River and Icelandic glaciers. Some remain as field recordings; others have been transformed into composed soundscapes, carrying traces of ice, water, human voices and distant places with them.

After each session, Yoichi will share stories and images from the places and recordings behind the works, while Jutta will speak about the meditation practice and open the space for reflection together.

Saturday 24 October · 19:00–20:30

ryūhyō — 40 min · LP

Field recordings of drift ice in Shiretoko, Hokkaido

Kōri no ryokō — 20 min · LP

An ambient composition moving through recordings of ice, water and church choir

Sunday 25 October · 14:00–15:30

Sonavira — 35 min · cassette

Field recordings from the Amazon rainforest in Manaus

Waterforest — 35 min · LP

A composition bringing together aquatic recordings from Kyoto, Yakushima, the Amazon rainforest, the Paraná River, Icelandic glaciers and elsewhere.

Tea will be served during both gatherings.

Participation is donation-based. Limited places · RSVP required.