Mark Holder-Keeping: Steel Sea

Abstract

This piece symbolizes the ambiguity of Wollongong's cultural identity as a beautiful coastline and industrial haven, by morphing the sounds of the steelworks with the ocean. It is difficult to pinpoint when the sound of the sea finishes and the steel works begins. The sound of steel production at Wollongong is deceptively similar in its serenity to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks at Kiama's blowhole. Growing up in Kiama, the sound of the ocean, especially at night, was a significant part of Mark's childhood. Improvising over these sounds are the shakuhachi, fire alarm bells and saxophone. Mark himself made the shakuhachi using local bamboo, and collected fire alarm bells, chosen for their particular tones, from a demolition yard. The saxophone has also been included, as Mark often plays it at the beach near the steel works. The shakuhachi is played by Elle Holder-Keeping.