Sound Design
Stories
The stories that you hear in Mammary Mountain were mostly gathered by Camille Baker with one gathered by Tara Baoth Mooney from breast cancer survivors and families of those who did not survive and were montaged together with the story of Mooney’s own journey through the healthcare system in Ireland.
The story arc follows what appears to be a linear journey – the journey that most people with breast cancer take through pre-diagnosis surgery and diagnosis, followed by various treatments. These can include single or double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy.
While not all patients go through, or require, all of the aforementioned treatments, over the course of the audio experience, you will hear descriptive passages from people that have real-life experience of them.
The final section of the experience explores post-treatment life, for those who have survived. This includes just how cancer has changed their way of being in the world, plus stories from loved ones who have lost someone to cancer.
Sound Design & Music
The sound design and music in Mammary Mountain is composed by Tara Baoth Mooney.
Much of it was inspired by her own breast cancer experience, however the stories and field recordings were collected during her treatments, and outside in the environment where she resides in Sligo, West Ireland.
Poetry
We also feature some reflections written by Tara while she was in treatment, one of which is reproduced below:
BREAST BEAST (Ductal Carcinoma)
Tiny tunnel,
Tara Baoth Mooney.
transport for sweet light
– ductal bright.
For lactal love.
Sonogram- a way in
-to see sound.
duct is dark
A deep drone
faint, and fierce
A grained groan
– shadow thing,
– tiny newt,
– bárnach beast.
Ugly fruit
Sorchadas agus dorchadas*
I meet you in the night beast
when light honey milk runs no more.
You pierce me
feed from your own umbilica
dark viscous fluid.
My blood, my stuff, your food.
You thrive
mutant thing
in the tiny tunnel
on my right side.
AONIC 50 Headphones
The audio element of Mammary Mountain is delivered by the Shure AONIC 50 Wireless Headphones.
These feature Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling technology, which blocks out exterior distractions for a truly immersive and natural listening experience. Spatialised Audio technology uses a proprietary algorithm to enhance the depth of your listening experience, by widening the sound stage without introducing unnatural artifacts.