Satsymph Hermes

Hermes is a mobile immersive media soundscape containing intricately programmed layers of contemporary music, poetry and prose layered over Hamworthy Park, Poole/Dorset, UK.

As you walk around the park, the sound will change in response to your location and movement. Walking to different areas of the park will play different combinations of sounds, music, and words.

The work’s theme is Hermes, traditionally messenger of the gods, guide to the Underworld, patron of thieves and liars, of literature and poets, as well as of boundaries and those who, as in this work, “travel across them”. In other words, a bit of a trickster!

You access this parallel soundworld or ‘virtual auditorium’ by downloading the app (containing all the content and instructions your phone needs). You then go to Hamworthy Park. Just before you enter the park (or from the car-park) you simply open the app, put your head/earphones on and go explore this intelligent, location-responsive environment. The app is free to use and you don’t need a phone signal after downloading – just GPS.

‘Hermes' is a 2020 remake of the original ‘On a Theme of Hermes’ (2012) using the same sound material. The remake is kindly supported by the Borough of Poole.

The original ‘On a Theme of Hermes’ was kindly supported by
Arts Council England - Lottery Funded
PRS for Music Foundation
Labculture Ltd.
M Shed
Lighthouse - Poole's Centre For The Arts
Borough of Poole
Arnolfini Gallery
Bristol Ensemble