ART 401STU—Sound and Site: Creative Research Applications of Field Recording and Audio Production

Sound and Site is an interdisciplinary Laboratory for constructing environmental sound projects. The course concepts and concerns are situated in an area of Sound Studies known as Acoustic Ecology. Through readings and discussion, audio recording and editing, students will study and produce environmentally sensitive sound works for creative inquiry and spatial practice. The course will introduce writings by and about an array of figures using field recording as research and as raw material to incorporate into artworks. The course will emphasize the importance of attentive listening. Students will make field recordings, work with audio editing software, present projects informed by course readings and discussion for demonstration and for critical feedback. Students will write one midterm and one final paper to be presented in support of audio projects. Participants will develop field recording strategies and audio editing technique, to construct projects as a basis for finding and articulating the “voice” of a site, orienting our critical inquiry and active investigation to engage uses of sound as an artistic medium in the form of ecological research. There will be an emphasis on site-specific projects, so work outside of class is integral. Historic and contemporary sound artworks will be presented and discussed. Students will work both in the studio and in the field to consider the soundscapes and aural architectures of our surrounding environments.