Episode 5: Alcatraz (One: The Island)

Explicit content warning

11/23/16 • 9 min

In this episode the Decibels team takes the ferry out along the bay to a unique national park; Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. We captured sonic glimpses of the post-prison years, from the flourishing growth of the flora and fauna, the explosion of avian residents and their nesting habitats, and momentary memories of the occupation by the Native Americans. We also include a most unlikely reunion of former island residents and correctional officers sharing memories of the most notorious murders on the island as well as reflections on the evolving role of Alcatraz in the quest for social justice. Decibels is a collaboration between Blue Egg Media and The New Asterisk Magazine and is brought to you by Robin Gianattassio-Malle, Alexander Winter and Jeremy Joven. Our gratitude goes out to David Shaw and Nicki Phelps at *The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Team* as well as to John Cantwell, Ranger and Historian at the *Alcatraz Island National Park Service* for lending their voice and support to this episode. Special thanks to LN Lurie for additional sound design contributions, and to Tobirus Newby for lending his voice.

Previous Episode

Episode 4: SFMoMA

After a three-year hiatus due to the construction of a larger space, the San Francisco MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) is once again fully open to the public. New curations await, a gigantic fern plant wall, novel vantage points, and publicly accessible hang-out spaces; in this episode, we journey through the sonic, emotional, and psychological aspects of these spaces. What's the meaning of a dedicated art space like this to our society, to the individual? How do we critically question and analyze what's presented to the public and to whom does it speak?

Next Episode

Episode 6: Alcatraz (Two: Alumni)

In this episode, Decibels returns to Alcatraz and encounters voices of the island's past. Former guards and residents confer their first-hand experiences of living and working on Alcatraz during the Rock's use as a prison. (Warning: This episode contains some more graphic audio content than usual, please be advised and listen at your own discretion) Decibels is a collaboration between Blue Egg Media and The New Asterisk Magazine and is produced by Robin Gianattassio-Malle, Alexander Winter, and Jeremy Joven. Our gratitude goes out to Former Alcatraz Correctional Officers Jim and Catherine Albright, George DeVincenzi and Former Alcatraz Resident Jolene Babyak for sharing their reflections and memories with us. Thanks also to The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Team as and the Alcatraz Island National Park Service for their support in the making of this episode, to LN Lurie for contributing to the sound design, and to Tobirus Newby for lending his voice.