Unlocking the sounds of ancient Cyprus theatre

Mar 23, 2006

It’s been almost a decade of visits to an ancient theatre in Paphos, Cyprus, for the University of Wollongong’s Associate Professor Diana Wood Conroy -- and this year will be her last excavation.

Since 1996 Professor Wood Conroy and her team from the Faculty of Creative Arts have been contributing to the University of Sydney’s Paphos Theatre Excavation project directed by Professor Richard Green which has involved mapping an ancient theatre in Cyprus through sound and image. The final excavation of the theatre will take place from 1 April – 15 May 2006.

UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton, has awarded a Challenge Grant towards the project officially titled ‘Sonic Architecture: Mapping the Ancient Theatre through Sound and Image’.

The $10,000 grant has been developed through the Sonic Arts Research Network with the support of Associate Professor Greg Schiemer and will support travel of key researchers, equipment and a multi-media exhibition.

The visual and material aspects of the ancient theatre in Cyprus have been closely studied for over 10 years but no examination of its acoustics (its primary ancient function) has been possible until now.

The project relates acoustics to archaeological drawing and photography. It asks – how might an understanding of the ancient theatre give contemporary artists new imaginative insights in working at the cutting edge of electronic technologies? The way in which site topology (the study of a given place and its history) can be mapped into acoustic properties is a key question.

Researchers hope to re-create architectural spaces suitable for live performance of many theatrical genres across the disciplines of the Faculty of Creative Arts.

The UOW team joining Professor Wood Conroy in the Paphos excavation will include Mr Brogan Bunt who will explore the possibilities of the visual spaces of the theatre as a multi-layered virtual realm, Dr Ian McGrath who will take measurements of the architecture to re-create sound as it was heard in the ancient theatre, Ms Diane Epoff who will make a digital photographic map of the site and four graduates from the School of Art and Design – Cameron Candy, Matt Dalton, Amanda Hodder and Amanda Muscat.

Professor Wood Conroy launched a book in 2004 based on her experiences excavating the ancient theatre of Paphos. The text takes readers on an imaginative journey through the evolution of theatres, uncovering the complex world of the Eastern Mediterranean, both ancient and modern.

The Fabric of Ancient Theatre is a series of excavation journals and explores culture and myth through personal and eclectic writing.

“It’s fascinating to realise that the ancient theatre brought together architecture, sculpture, painting, poetry, music and drama. We hope to recreate these conversations between disciplines in the Faculty of Creative Arts,” said Professor Wood Conroy.

For more information: Contact Associate Professor Diana Wood Conroy on 4221 4269

**Media please note: Professor Wood Conroy and her team will be available for photo/filming/interview opportunities at 9.30am on Wednesday 22 March in Bldg 25 (Creative Arts), Room 130.