Splice x Suena — a serenade to Mexico City
Xochimilco— recording the sound of ancient Aztec wisdom.
In late 2022, I joined forces with Splice, composer Leo Heiblum, Arcatierra, and non-profit Suena, a local Mexico City non-profit that's all about environmental sounds. Together, we dived into the heart of Mexico City and its wild gem, Xochimilco. Our goal? To rip open the stories of the city's intense, sometimes messy love affair with nature, all through the raw power of sound.
Splice is a top-notch sample pack provider for musicians and producers. With a vast sound library, they cater to various genres, helping artists enhance their productions with unique audio elements.
Role: Creative and Sound Curator
Our journey took us through the heart of Xochimilco, guided by local environmental experts and the renowned Mexico City film composer and artist Leo Heiblum. Together, we explored the canals and chinampas (floating gardens), capturing the natural symphony of this vibrant ecosystem. Our guide, Arca Tierra, is an organization dedicated to running active farms and education programs in the chinampas. Their mission to promote and preserve a healthy ecosystem in Xochimilco was a source of inspiration and learning for our team.
This project was more than just a sound recording endeavor. It was a journey that connected us with the soul of Xochimilco, its people, and the efforts of those like Arca Tierra who work tirelessly to protect this precious environment. To learn more about Arca Tierra and their commendable work in Xochimilco, visit www.arcatierra.com.
Background
South of Mexico City lies Xochimilco Ecological Park, where 400 acres of ancient Aztec "floating gardens," or chinampas, dot its canals. These historical agricultural sites once sustained over 250,000 people in the Aztec capital, now Mexico City. Despite urbanization, Xochimilco preserves these active chinampas, home to 11% of Mexico's biodiversity. The COVID pandemic reignited interest in this age-old farming method.
Joined by Mexico City film composer Leo Heiblum and guided by Arca Tierra, an organization dedicated to preserving Xochimilco's ecosystem, the Splice team recorded the unique sounds of these waterways and farms. Their project, Splice Explores: Chinampas, offers a rich library of field recordings, capturing bird calls, cattle sounds, underwater noises, and farming activities, transforming them into unique musical pieces. This collection serves as a sonic time capsule, offering a glimpse into an important part of Mexico's history.
Proceeds from this pack support Iniciativa Agroecológica Xochimilco A.C., a nonprofit helping local farmers maintain the chinampas through sustainable practices and fair trade. Learn more about this initiative at www.arcatierra.com.
