This past weekend, visitors at KALEID Gallery, San Jose Stage Company + Veggielution Farm had the chance to hear San Jose in a whole new way. 👂

These three sites hosted part of a month-long, city-wide art installation called SJ Sounds. The project combines sounds + stories to create moments of “sonic theater.”

KALEID Gallery hosted one of the first SJ Sounds installations this past weekend. | Photo by SJCtoday staff

The project was directed by friends and fellow artists, Matt Casey of More Más Marami and Sara Witsch of Soundplay Media. Between the two organizations, five sound designers + 10 writers collaborated on the final art pieces.

How do the installations work? “Instead of this being inside a theater, the real world is acting like the set,” Casey explained. As you enter the installation location, you’ll hear a unique soundscape being played through speakers. Then, a QR code gives you access to a written story.

“The sound [gives] an artistic feeling,” Casey said. “The short story creates characters, narration, and drive for the whole piece.” These installations are themed around issues close to our community — including housing, habitat loss, incarcerated firefighters, and airport pollution.

This willingness to explore the boundaries of conventional theater goes along with More Más Marami’s artistic mission. “[SJ Sounds is] a one-of-a-kind, unique thing that I haven’t seen too much of around here,” Casey said.

The remaining SJ Sounds installations will happen on March 11, March 12, and March 13 at various locations around town. If you can’t make it — a finale celebration is being held March 19 at the Méxican Heritage Plaza where you can hear all five soundscapes + meet the artists who created them.

If you’re interested in supporting More Más Marami, or would like to be involved in their future projects, check out their website.