A silent journey through the Dolomites

Only in silence can we hear the song of nature: this is how Casper Rolsted announces the second episode of his silence project, a series of films where he will present nature at its most natural. Only visuals with a detailed soundscape, no music or artificial sound effects used.

Casper Rolsted shared with us the following details on his video:

Natural silence is not the absence of sound from nature it is the absence of noise from modern life.

Listen in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Headphones of are highly recommended.

SILENCE PROJECT
This is the second episode in my silence project. Through a series of films I will present nature at its most natural. To fully capture the authentic atmosphere of the places I have combined the visuals with a detailed soundscape. No music or artificial sound effects have been used in this film project only the songs from nature’s own sound library. To make the experience as natural as possible both the audio and video are recorded in some of nature’s most undisturbed places.

This project was born out of love for the undisturbed places in nature. The goal of the project is to share the wonders of nature with as many people as possible and thereby ensuring its protection and enjoyment for generations to come. I plan to accomplish this goal through stunning short films with breathtaking video and audio.

SILENT LISTENING
The nature is busy communicating and in places without noise pollution we can listen to the nature at its most natural. Listening is not about trying to hear the sounds that you believe are important. Instead simply listening to the place without comparing sounds to what is already known. If we silent listen to nature in undisturbed places without prejudices we can experience the big diversity of nature and the faintest sounds gain their original importance in the soundscape.

Humans developed in a world where only the sounds of nature filled the air. Our ears are evolved to hear these often soft and information rich ambiences which help us experience our surroundings. But in our noisy urban environment our hearing is continuously being overloaded and thus we have learned to experience our surroundings through our vision. Even when we visit a silent place in nature we try to experience the place through our vision instead of listening to the place. Vision is focused in one direction at the time and is excellent when it comes to focusing our attention on a given event. But vision is very limiting when it comes to capturing the full image of a given place. Therefore hearing and not vision is the preferred sense in nature. The full image of a given place does not only expand in every direction around us but it expands for far distances behind visual objects that block the view but do not block the sounds. In a silent environment sound can travel far distances and can easily travel around objects. Further, it is often difficult to get visual contacts with wildlife but nothing escapes our hearing if we listen in silence.

There are many benefits of experiencing silence in nature. Natural silence is relaxing, reduce stress and increase overall productivity. Conversely, noise pollution cause stress, increase risk of cardio-vascular disease and has a negatively impact on overall productivity. When we live more quiet lives, we become healthier, more relaxed, and better able to listen to others and the world around us.

The industrial revolution and population growth has unleashed an epidemic of noise pollution that has made natural silence one of our fastest-disappearing resources. It is my goal that these films will raise the audience’s awareness to the importance of silence. I hope to bring the experience of natural silence to the audience and encourage an interest in saving the undisturbed places in nature. We need to learn how to listen again to fully appreciate nature’s whispers.

GRATEFUL LIVING
In our stressful society we so seldom find the time to relax and regenerate. Use these films as an escape from a stressful and noisy environment. Here you will experience natural silence and wide relaxing spaces.

We strive through life for status and recognition, and we attach ourselves to material things in the belief that they will make us happy. I believe that it is only when we free ourselves from this pursuit of external satisfying that we can displace the inner emptiness and create lasting happiness and tranquility in our stressed minds.

In fact, it is only our idea about that something is missing that prevents us from being happy. Happiness comes from being grateful for our situation and for all the things we already have. It is when we can rejoice together with others, that life makes sense, and true happiness arises. Happiness is not a destination; it is a process – a wonderful journey.

Nature’s beauty can be so easily missed. It is my hope that these films will contribute to a deeper understanding and gratitude of the natural wonders in our world and to the preservation of our fragile environment in the future.

Credits

If you want to know more about Casper Rolsted, don’t forget check the following out:
http://casperrolsted.com/silence-project/

We’re Listening

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