Personal Information
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Given name: Joseph









Surname: Young









Email: artofnoises@me.com









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Your contribution
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Title: The Big House Made of Sound









Format: Experimental format (4)









Main language: English









Abstract:
‘The Big House Made of Sound’ demonstrates an artistic research methodology developed by artist and researcher Joseph Young. Since 2016, Young has been engaged in a series of site-specific interventions using geo-located sound to add layers of complexity to our understanding of historic sites and contested histories.

The Irish Big House is a remnant of British colonial rule, when a vast network of houses marked a visible presence of the Anglo-Irish landowning classes in the landscape. Many of them did not survive the war for independence and of those that did, only a handful are still maintained by their 'original families'.  Their presence in the 21st century can therefore be understood as a haunting reminder of a recent past whilst pointing towards an ongoing entanglement between the Irish and British states which was further complicated by the Brexit vote in 2016. 

Young hails from the UK and completed his PhD in Ireland as artist-in-residence at Killruddery House in County Wicklow, in 2023, creating a hauntological sound trail ‘The Ancestors’ which re-imagined visitors’ smartphones as a modern day dowsing tool for archival spectres imagined to be roaming the estate. 

In 2026, Young returns to Ireland to research the archives of Annes Grove in County Cork, as part of a postdoctoral research project supported by Research Ireland, where he will use song, sonic sculpture and enchantment to address the women of the archive, whose voices in a patrilineal inheritance system often go unheard. 

This experimental presentation will utilise audio geo-location in public spaces to allow conference attendees to directly experience some of his works, alongside a performative lecture format which will detail a making process with soundwalking at its heart, whilst showing how artistic research methodologies can interact with critical heritage practice to reimagine the Big House as a dreamlike and otherworldly storehouse of narrative, poetic commentary and memory.










Image: https://test.sar2026.ie/system/files/webform/submit_contribution/442/P6306340.JPG









Short biographies of the presenter(s):
-  Joseph Young (born UK, 1960) lives and works between Britain and Ireland. A former actor and award-winning composer, he appeared in numerous West End musicals and television productions before retraining as a visual artist at the University of Brighton. He holds a PhD in Inclusive Design and Creative Technology Innovation from University College Dublin.
  Young’s artistic practice is rooted in sound and its connection to place. His work translates acts of listening into immersive experiences that bridge memory, environment, and material form. He has exhibited at Tate Britain, Seoul Museum of Art, Venice Architecture Biennale and Wexford Arts Centre and his work is held in several permanent collections, including the Estorick Collection.










Previous presentations or iterations of the research:
Whilst I have spoken about the work frequently in seminars and public events, this particular focus on the wider artistic research methodologies behind the work, accompanied by a opportunity to experience some of the work in situ, is a new development that has not previously been seen or heard at any conference to date. The presentation will also allow me to showcase emerging knowledge from the postdoc research as it is happens.














Requirements
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Additional information:
The presentation comprises 3 interlinked strands:
1) A performative lecture (see below)
2) A series of geo-located soundscapes in public spaces, available for the duration of the conference
3) A one-off artist-led tour of the soundscapes










Spatial and technical requirements :
I will require a larger, informal space rather than a lecture theatre, which is set up with a good stereo sound system and a projector. In addition, I will geo-locate soundscapes in and around campus, in coordination with the organising committee to provide a public experience of some of the work originally created for presentation at historic houses. QR codes will be provided for attendees to download the Echoes.xyz app on which the work is hosted accompanied by detailed operating instructions 










Potential risks or ethical concerns:
Due to the nature of experiencing audio based artworks in public spaces, clear instructions will be provided to keep listeners safe, in consultation with the organising committee.










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