Susan Campos—Fonseca:
Gandoca

Release: Dec 06, 2024

Thinking Sonically in Times of Ecocide

For me, composing is a sonic exploration of what makes us "human"—what we deny and affirm in pursuit of that "humanity." This is why I reflect on the sounds of extinction. Gandoca, for solo tuba and analog white noise machine, is the result of several research-creation residencies in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica, particularly at the National Wildlife Refuge Gandoca—Manzanillo between 2022 and 2024.

The history of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge is one of struggle, resistance, and resilience against ecocide, epistemicide, and genocide. Inspired by the compositional thinking of Pauline Oliveros and Eliane Radigue, Gandoca is, in each of its possible versions, a sonic meditation that explores the infinitesimal within audible consciousness, seeking a justice rooted in listening.

The Costa Rican tubist Diego Jiménez-Camacho commissioned this work for his Master’s thesis in the Graduate Arts Program at the University of Costa Rica. I entrusted Gandoca to him. This EP, produced by IGM, includes two versions performed by Diego.

As a composer, it is important to me that each time the piece is "materialized" sonically, it acquires new resonances. The score was designed with this purpose in mind, as an invitation to reflect on the human and non-human lives that inhabit us.

Susan Campos Fonseca, PhD.
Composer, researcher, and sonic creator

Listen to Gandoca I

Gandoca Cover

Gandoca

  • Format: EP
    Release: December 06, 2024
    Catalogue: IGML-008
    GTIN/EAN/UPC:
    Producer: IGM
    Commissioned by Diego Jiménez

  • Diego Jiménez (Tuba)

  • Susan Campos—Fonseca

  • Campos—Fonseca — Gandoca:

    01. Gandoca I
    02. Gandoca II

  • Commissioned by Diego Jiménez—Camacho
    Produced by Irreverence Group Music
    Music by Susan Campos—Fonseca

    Diego Jiménez—Camacho - Tuba

    Recorded, mixed & edited by Carlos Escalante Macaya
    at Escuela de Artes Musicales, Universidad de Costa Rica,
    San José, Costa Rica.

    Mastered by Julián De La Chica
    at IGMLab Music, Brooklyn, NY

    Album Notes by Diego Jiménez
    Artwork/Cover: IGM
    Photography by Susan Campos
    Ⓟ & © IGM 2024

Ep NOTES

By Diego Jiménez—Camacho

“Gandoca”

Stepping out of routine means facing the uncertainty of how to approach new and unfamiliar experiences, often leading to a greater emotional impact. For me, Gandoca represents the challenge of leaving my comfort zone and immersing myself in a different way of creating art. This process involves breaking away from my prior knowledge and the usual control I have over my surroundings, placing me in a completely new context. In this way, Gandoca becomes a space not only for generating experiences for myself but also for those who listen to my music.

Diego Jimenez by Susan Campos

Diego Jiménez—Camacho
Photo by Susan Campos—Fonseca

The purpose of this work transcends the simple act of making art; it focuses on creating a meaningful social impact in our country. It is not "just art and culture" but also a form of critique and a call to environmental awareness. I am proud to be a voice raising an urgent cry for help against the recurring environmental issues in my country, and this piece inspires me to take concrete actions to foster a more eco-friendly and conscious community.

Diego Jiménez by Susan Campos

Susan Campos—Fonseca
& Diego Jiménez—Camacho
Photo by Susan Campos—Fonseca

Each performance of this music is an emotional journey that transports me through sensations and memories I hadn’t previously considered. It feels like reliving childhood moments when I visited the sea: each performance is unique, a different adventure shaped by the memories stored in my mind. Through Gandoca, these recollections come alive and transform into experiences I share with the audience. The music becomes a bridge connecting my experiences with those of the listener, allowing me to authentically express my emotions and convey the work's message.

About the Author

Diego Jiménez—Camacho has performed with several prominent ensembles, including the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Limón Concert Band, the Costa Rican Wind Orchestra, the Central American Youth Orchestra, and the University of Costa Rica Symphony Orchestra, where he is an active member. These collaborations have enabled him to perform a wide-ranging repertoire, from classical works to contemporary compositions.