Radio art is a broad term that encompasses all auditory arts that use radio as a medium of transmission. While these types of artistic projects can range from technical sound manipulation to more social programming such as interviews and audio performances, any art that seeks to use the properties of radio for its process is commonly referred to as radio or radio delivered art. In many definitions of this type of art, the artist is not a professional radio producer, but rather someone who is using radio in a novel way to present various types of art.
Some radio art aims to provide a wide range of non-vocal audio sounds. These are frequently referred to as soundscapes or experimental radio works of art. From familiar sound samples to unique ambient or technology-induced abstract sounds, there are an almost infinite number of elements that can be included in one of these performances.
The human voice is the focus of other forms of radio-delivered art. If they include a performance art component or are otherwise delivered as an artistic product, certain types of interviews can be classified as radio art. If they are part of a larger set of radio broadcasts that are universally regarded as artistic, these types of social performances can also be called radio art.
A very important specialized process is used in many technical forms of radio-based art. Sound from outer space is used in some of these types of art projects. Others use the juxtaposition of silence and sound to elicit a response from an art audience. Screeching, banging, groaning, whirring, and other abstract ambient sounds are frequently used in more technical radio art.
There’s also a subgenre of dramatic radio art that takes advantage of the radio’s unique setting to reach a new audience. These radio art pieces usually have an accessible narrative and employ voices and sound effects to guide an audience through the story in an engaging manner. This type of art can be found in traditional radio theater broadcasts.
Radio art is defined, in general, its producers, audience, and regional and broadcasting context. Fine arts organizations in a given country or region of the world can help fans of this type of art find more established venues for radio art. This can also be a useful resource for artists interested in joining the radio art community.