Konis Phonis Exploratica (Nyanga and Mitchell's Plain)

It might sound impossible to run a sound workshop without any of the usual noise makers – instruments, amplifiers etc. And when I have to, I remind myself – sound is everywhere and we have the perfect instruments to capture it – called ears (and attached to our heads!).

When Hannah from CapeAfrica invited me to run two sound workshops for children, I decided that I would use the opportunity to draw a little attention to these useful meaty attachments. So I designed an earphone called the Khone Phone - otherwise known as 'Konis Phonis Exploratica' (patent pending).

During the two workshops (in Mitchell's Plain and Nyanga) we showed the participating learners how to construct the earphones out of simple materials – mostly disposable tableware. The kids got stuck in with much enthusiasm, cutting, measuring, assembling and decorating.

Following the construction we went outside to test our Phones. To do so we assumed the correct Khone listening stance – a stealthy crouch, one hand focusing the Phone, and a finger on the lips. In this manner we went on a silent (well almost silent!) exploration of the school grounds listening to the urban environment - dogs barking, kids playing and aircraft. And I must say that I was quite surprised at the sudden change - giggling subsided (well almost) with everyone starting to listen to their listening.