Sound

This post is going to be about another topic related to A R T :) and believe me there are many.

Sound. Yes, sound. I know that it's not something you would think would appear on a blog about A R T...but here it is. I took part in a workshop held by a Ph.D student, Linda from NUI Maynooth. I participated in recording and analyzing sounds to develop a soundscape of Smithfield in Dublin, Ireland. Did you ever notice how many sounds you hear in just a few minutes? Ranging from the mysterious knocking to open and loud chatter, there are maaany. Sound can be inspiring however it is something that is not usually the main focus when doing something arty. It is a great medium which can question the barrier between the artist, the space/the art piece and the viewer. While designing a page in scrapbooking for instance, the simple (somewhat) action of attaching a small music box to the sheet will immediately create an atmosphere or/and serve as a reminder of something special.

Sound also plays a tremendously important element in film. I personally love Hitchock Presents! Bernard Herrmann prepared the music for Psycho and had a huge impact on the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG3-GlvKPcg Furthermore, the voices may not only tell the story but create a special atmosphere with the use of accent or tone of voice.

http://www.aldrichart.org/exhibitions/past/chelpaferro.php

Similarly, modern art museums use sound prepared by the artist whose work is currently displayed. This is a great opportunity for both the audience and the artist to engage in the piece by more than just the visual aspect of it. Sound in itself is a form of expression and can easily trigger emotions. The combination of the two does change the overall experience of viewing art. Sounds and voices can be very evocative and affect our emotions at that exact time and place. Softly spoken words can start off a stream of consciousness in our minds whereas sounds can allow for quiet contemplation.