past sound tips

René Magritte, Shell in the Form of an Ear, 1956

For Thursday; a making assignment and a listening/viewing assignment. 

I. Develop your first sound test: 

1. at least three tracks layered
2. at least one of them altered, effected, repeated or otherwise changed for emphasis
3. at least one continuous through most of the track

 How can you work, play or otherwise mess with  it to make it into a moving, frightening, calming, funny, unexpected 15-30 second collage that you'd really like to share with a group in class? -- Remember-- it's just an exercise-- a quick study like our first portraits!

Project 2: Sound/Language How can you turn your vital statement into artistic impact?

Homework for Thursday, September 23rd:
I.  Below, in this blog post, I note my expression of the statements the creators are making with their work. Notice that some of these are certainly my opinions-- you might find other statements in the works.  Others are much more clearly the statement the creator of the work (artist, author, thinker, etc.)  is making-- they've left little room for interpretation.
II.  draft a statement about what you wish to express about the topic you're researching.
III.  Describe five sounds that seem appropriate to your revised statement






Work on your audio piece:  Sound Self in Place- remember that we’re aiming for 1-3 minutes for the final project. Make some notes about how the readings/viewings/listening for this segment are informing your decisions. Make good notes about your process so far.

Tuesday 29th very very rough cuts due. We'll have additional advisors in the room to talk to groups of 5 about your work.
Thursday, 31 October -- ongoing workshop of your work

Tuesday, October 5th and thursday October 7th-- - sound pieces due on the blog with a narrative that contextualizes them in the five weeks research and design process, refers to the readings, listenings, and sound art that you work with and against in your project. We will work on revising and enhancing narratives on Thursday

Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still, 1980's- Cindy Sherman-- Statement: Identity is constructed, and I can reveal that with photography. 

Iké Udé, Sartorial Anarchy, 2013 more info here

Iké Udé- Statement: objects carry meaning-- in this case, a story of imperialism and colonization-- he takes that meaning back by transforming it into a commentary on imperialism and colonization?

 Meryl McMaster, Secret of Darkness, 2019.
I just learned about this Canadian artist who explores some of the same issues of colonization, identity, and hybridity through thoughtful use of props, costume, makeup, setting-- thought you might be interested. Learn more here.


Micropixie, "Cognitive Dissonance,"  from Alice in Stevie Wonderland, 2005 Statement: Our parents worry about us becoming artists, and that's a heavy load to carry. You might also be interested in Micropixie's new album, which envisions the immigrant experience as one of alienation-- actual alienation.  you might be interested in this recent Radio piece that could offer you ideas for your sound piece here.




Lonnie Holley-- Statement:: objects carry meaning-- combines objects, sound, and language to convey statements about the experience of race in the deep south of the US


Lonnie Holley, I woke Up,  ~2017-- Statement, expressed by Gil Green of Stereogum, "The song’s atmosphere is ominous, and Holley’s voice sounds rough and callous, full of a gravelly emotion. The accompanying video by Matt Arnett and Ethan Payne is cluttered with patriotic antiques that feel both powerful and hollow at the same time, reaching back to Holley’s sculptural work with found objects. And Holley himself can’t get out of bed. He’s begging to be let out this dream, pleading for an escape. His gaze pierces. The track feels indivisible from the pain of American politics, and it hints at an album that will be equally chained to the injustices of our current world, one that will see Holley pointing his impressionistic poetry towards subjects such as Black Lives Matter and Standing Rock. 

Radiolab- "A Clockwork Miracle" You might find this story about a very old robot powerful. Think about how Radiolab uses introductions, transitions, atmospheric sounds, and character-building sounds.

Radiolab: Statement: Curiosity produces great journalism and knowledge.
 Used carefully, sound brings journalism powerfully to life, and into realm of music composition

Isabella Rosselini: Green Porno: Fly, 2008  Statement: Here's the science of how the common housefly reproduces. I'm gonnA make it interesting for your with my sexy playful style. Try listening to this without the images-- how does she use the sound of her voice, the specific sounds of flies, fly-like sounds, and atmosphere-setting sounds?

The Multidisciplinary work of Karinne Keithley Seyers. You can learn more here, and listen to the meditative research piece we heard in class here.


Laurie Anderson "O Superman" Statement: Technology is exacerbating isolation and anxieties  in a violent world in the 1980's.

Hal Cragin and Iggy Pop, "A Machine for Loving," I find it an odd statement, coming from the godfather of punk Iggy Pop, and I wonder what that says about me. 

Statement: "What is a dog but a machine for loving
You introduce him to a human being giving him the mission to love
And however ugly, perverse, deformed or stupid this human being might be
The dog loves him, the dog loves him"

Childish Gambino, This is America, 2018. Childish Gambino, This is America, 2018 Statement: violent reality of America for people of color today, in particular the complex yet confining roles available for himself as a black male. Here's a read of some of the symbolic content. You might appreciate The Atlantic's analysis of the video.


Tierra Whack, Whack World, 2019. New York Times response.