Giving Soil and Nature a Voice: Andover Hosts Groundbreaking Series of Sound Art Events with Justin Wiggan
Andover, Hampshire — This August, Andover became home to a unique series of workshops and performances that invited local residents to ask a profound and imaginative question: What does the earth sound like?
An Andover Trees United initiative led by award-winning artist Justin Wiggan, the three-part project explored the hidden voices of soil, crystals, and even the wider universe through the innovative process of biosonification — a technology that translates natural electrical signals into sound.
Soil Sounds at Harmony Woods
The first event, held at Harmony Woods, asked participants to listen to soil samples taken from the Bronze Age ditch, the chalk scape, the mulch pile, and the compacted footpath. Each produced a unique soundscape that sparked creativity, words, and storytelling. The workshop also raised important awareness about soil compaction and its effect on the environment, encouraging people to connect with the ground beneath their feet in new ways.
The Earth Has a Voice at Andover Museum
The second event, hosted by Andover Museum, offered an evening of reflection and inspiration. In his talk, Wiggan shared his artistic journey and passion for giving a voice to natural materials that often go unheard. Audiences were introduced to the wide-ranging applications of biosonification — from capturing the sounds of the sea and trees to those of the moon, sun, and stars.
The evening culminated in a moving performance using biosonification from an amethyst crystal, guiding participants into a meditative space and demonstrating how art and science can combine to create powerful inner experiences.
Soil Sounds Pop-Up at Town Mills Riverside Park
The project concluded in the heart of Andover with a pop-up workshop at Town Mills Riverside Park. Here, local residents and passers-by stopped to listen to soil samples from the chalk scape and compacted footpath, once again transformed into sound. Participants responded with words, stories, and reflections, bringing creativity into public space and highlighting the beauty of shared community moments.
This event marked a beautiful end to the project, showing how simple acts of listening can deepen our relationship with the natural world.
A Community Effort
The series of events was made possible through the collaboration of CAS (Chapel Arts Studios), who funded the project, and Andover Trees United (ATU), who supported behind the scenes.
“We wanted to create opportunities for people to experience the natural world in new and imaginative ways,” said Wiggan. “By listening to the voices of soil, crystals, and beyond, we not only connect with nature but also with each other.”
