Fourteen words. Fourteen phrases. That’s all that remains of Agatha Gothe-Snape’s ambitious project Here an Echo. But these aren’t just any words. They’re a two-way poem etched into the pavement of Wemyss Lane Surry Hills. Here an Echo is more than just public art. It’s a legacy of the 20th Biennale of Sydney a permanent installation reflecting the city’s ever-evolving narrative.
Originally conceived as a long-form project involving research performances and walks Here an Echo began as a journey. The artist and choreographer Brooke Stamp walked dozens of times from Speakers’ Corner to Wemyss Lane. Their walks were improvisational performances. Each walk responded to the city’s ever-changing atmosphere. They gathered words and phrases along the way. These fragments of conversation and observations became the building blocks of this unique artwork.
The route included significant Sydney landmarks. Their journey passed St Mary’s Cathedral and Hyde Park. The final destination Wemyss Lane was carefully chosen. It once housed the city’s first Chinatown. The lane holds layers of history. These histories influenced the final selection of words. This makes Here an Echo more than just words on a street. It’s a reflection of the city’s rich and often hidden past.
One phrase “PLANTS AND BIRDS AND ROCKS AND THINGS” might seem odd. It’s actually a quote from the song “Horse with No Name”. It speaks to the spirit of the place. The artist even had a choir sing a version in a moving walkway. It reflects the ambience of the area. The words aren’t just passively placed. They’re situated to engage with the space. For instance the phrase subtly comments on the rows of bins lining the laneway.
Here an Echo invites interaction. You walk. You read. You read and you walk. The act of walking becomes a choreography. The words offer openness and ambiguity. They’re open to interpretation. They invite you to reflect on Sydney’s layers. They encourage you to create your own meaning as you move through the space. It’s a truly unique way to experience public art. A true reflection of the city’s multifaceted spirit. The artwork remains a quiet yet powerful echo of Sydney’s enduring narrative.