avoiding sound, why this happens and what to do about it

Description

This talk explores the position of the sonic artist within the context of an ever-changing technological landscape and challenges some of the thinking that futures in sound design are dependent on bending technique towards these technologies.

While it is certainly true that AI systems and processes will change all media practices – perhaps beyond recognition – we might also recognise that there are listeners to our sounds and that we, as the sound makers need to listen too. Every minute we spend working on a new line of code is time that might have been spent listening or performing. Are we avoiding sound?

Much creative energy is expended on the design of systems to produce material. Hours of screen time are given over to tenacious management of tools and adaptations of workflow to technology. The sonic-hardware space is saturated with brilliant, tantalising and thrilling new inventions. All of this promises that the system will give us so much in-return for our time and money.

At this talk, I will explain my own current working methods with sound and seek to share some of my personal difficulties with technological promise as it currently stands. We will wonder together what might become of us as if we continue to avoid sound.

Period	27 May 2022
Held at	Universite Gustave Eiffel, France
Degree of Recognition	International