Journal Article

Experience of Space in Sound: Perceptions, Concepts, and Methods

Frisk, Henrik

2024

Overview

This article addresses the question of experiential dimensions of space in sound, in electroacoustic music and sound arts practices in particular. We suggest that these practices are limited by the generalized way that spatial audio techniques are communicated, and we attempt to develop a tentative method that would allow for discussing and sharing spatial aspects in sonic environments. These modes of articulation would permit for a translation of the experience into other modalities. Reporting from a series of workshops, we outline a three-phase method that moves through stages of listening, describing, and recreating and imagining the sonic spaces. In the final stage a speculative design approach unveils that shared sonic spatial experiences are essentially relational. In the discussion, topics of expectations, biases, and language; concepts such as memory and imagination; and the methods mapping, and speculative design are addressed. Through the explorations presented in this article it becomes evident that different artistic musical practices show the same need to develop articulations allowing the integrating and communication of spatial relationships. The dichotomy between the development of new technologies for spatial audio and that of conceptual frameworks for understanding and communicating spatial sonic knowledge can be aligned and potentially even reinforce each other.