By Claron McFadden (The Netherlands)
I am a vocalist, and singing helps me make sense of the world in which I live. There is something quite profound about this simple act: inhaling, feeling the lungs expand and then feeling the vibration of sound riding on the gently exhaled air. For newborns, this is deeply connected to their survival, how they communicate and make sense of their new world. I became fascinated by how sound could be both calming and stimulating, and started exploring ways to use sound to communiexploring ways to use sound to communicate emotions without words, cate emotions without words, as infants do.
I am always looking for what connects us as human beings, rather than what divides us. I am very curious to learn more about cultures and musical traditions that are different from my own — this helps keep me open to the world and the people in it.
In my search for what connects us, I did a project where I gave a voice to secrets that had been anonymously given to me. In this project, called ‘Secrets’, I wanted to honour the people who have been on the planet for a very long time, and who are not always able to share their experiences and wisdom in our society. The one project that touched me the most and continues to do so — Nachtschade: Aubergine — involved a road trip around the Mediterranean with a documentary-maker. We went to five different countries, and in each country a host taught me a dish with aubergine and a song. I asked them about their identity and migratory history. I had to prepare the dish and sing the song for our dinner guests. It was an amazing opportunity to learn from my hosts, but also to share with and learn from people who randomly crossed my path.
We shared stories, food, and music, and the understanding that we are all coming from somewhere else, adapting to our surroundings, integrating, and adding to the rich cultural tapestry — just like the iconic aubergine. I was very happy that my voice could be a bridge to greater understanding and connection.
