What it means to be at home? Can we connect practices of listening with an extended feeling of being home? In this paper, I will connect Arne Næss’s concept of ecosophy with the practice of soundwalking and that of connected listening as understood and developed by Abigail Gardner in order to provide a personal interpretation of the notion of rural futurism (Leandro Pisano). I argue that soundwalking practised with the intention of creating new connections and new affective circuits can advance the premises for a multilayered perception of the bonds between humans and the natural environment, contributing to the expansion of the concept of ruralism. I explore the feelings of belonging – to a household, to a natural environment, to a community, to a person or to animals – that arise from the practices of connected listening and soundwalking and how they contribute to a deeper understanding of the concept of ecosophy. Further, I will address rural futurism as a sensible process of affects and values also reflected in sound practices.

Maria Balabas is a radio producer, sound artist, sound researcher based in Bucharest. She creates many radio shows dedicated to experiment in music and has had documentaries and features nominated for several international competitions. Her artistic work has been featured in personal or group exhibitions. She develops a personal practice and advocates for soundwalking in Romanian art territory through the project Sunete care umblă (Sounds That Walk), travelling festivals and small cultural initiatives around the country.