We asked our summer 2021 intern Maggie to complete one of the activities in the Educational Resource packet’s “Suggested Activities” for Jibade-Khalil Huffman: You Are Here. She chose Everyday Noise: Write/record the sounds you hear as you go about your day, as many as you can! What sounds would you include in your own installation? What sounds and music might you sharewith other people? How does closing your eyes and simply listening impact your experience? Are there any noises you may have not noticed until now?
Over the past few days, I have been able to spend precious moments at home with my family before I go into my senior year of college. During this period, I made sure to take intentional time to listen to the sounds and noises that make this home, MY HOME. If I could create my own exhibition curated with the daily sounds of my everyday life, I would have it start from the beginning of my day and flow throughout and into the evening. As one enters the space, they would be able to hear that every morning when I wake up, and as I lay in bed, I listen to the bluebirds singing in their nest outside my window. The sun peeks through the curtains and warms the end of my covers where my kitten lays purring in peace, and I feel at ease. There is something so magical and beautiful about starting the beginning of my day in the home where I grew up.
Later in the afternoons, I typically make lunch for my younger brother and the neighbor’s son, two burgers and fries. As I prepare the food, I can hear the boys laughing from the bedroom as they play with hot-wheels and Pokémon cards. Amid the sizzling meat on the skillet, every once in a while, a loud crash from the tiny cars will come scattering across the hard wood floors. Then shuffling noises come as they quickly scoop everything up and hear me yelling that lunch is ready. By the evening, my parents and siblings will all settle into the living room to watch a movie, our nightly tradition. The sounds of my parents talking about work sits in the back of my ears, while my sister scrolls through TikTok playing for me hit song after hitsong. As everyone leaves, I hope they will feel a deeper connection to myself, and connection to the space I have grown up in my entire life.