Chion, M. (1994). Audio-vision. [online] Columbia University Press. Available at: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/michel-chion/audio-vision/9780231078993 [Accessed 9 May 2024].
The sample digs into the complexity of describing and understanding sounds, emphasising the delicate relationship between their content, source, and meaning. It stresses the intrinsic difficulty of describing the substance of sounds in isolation from their context or importance, highlighting language’s inherent ambiguity in conveying auditory experiences. Participants in sound exploration face the constraints of language expression while navigating the complexities of perception and interpretation.
The extract discusses how individuals behave when they try to interpret sounds without any other information tied to them. Some may simply give up and claim that noises are caused by minor issues. Others may utilise technologies such as machines to measure sounds, even if these equipment cannot fully reflect how humans hear. Some individuals argue that because everyone perceives sounds differently, understanding them is impossible.
In the context of the project, this reveals the intricacies of connecting with aural experiences, as well as the difficulties in describing their fundamental essence. Participants may encounter comparable responses and defences as they observe the exhibit, dealing with language’s inherent ambiguity and the complexities of a common purpose. Through this investigation, the exhibit invites people to participate in reduced listening, building a better awareness for the objectivity that results from intersubjective knowledge.