Aural stimulation is the focus of sound art, which is a contemporary art form. Sound art, unlike traditional painting, creates an artistic experience in listening and hearing through the use of music, produced sounds, and sound technology. As it reaches out to the art world in a new and distinct way, this relatively new art form has gained a passionate following.
In 1983, a group of artists held one of the first sound exhibitions at the New York City Sculpture Center. Sound/Art was the title of the show, which is thought to be the origin of the term for the art form. The popular exhibition sparked debate in the art world, with people debating whether sound art should be classified as art, music, or a hybrid form of work.
Sound artistry comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it appears to be an ever-evolving form of artistic expression. Site-specific sound installations are created by some artists, in which the sound objects evolve over time. A viewer can stay for as long as they want or leave as soon as they want, but they risk missing important sound developments. These installations are frequently reliant on their surroundings, and some consider them to be sound installations only if they have a structure that necessitates the specific setting.
Many principles derived from the science of acoustics and the effect of sound on the human body are used in the creation of sound art. Experiments have shown that sound vibrations at specific frequencies can elicit a response in the human body, even if the vibrations are too low to be heard. Low-frequency vibrations can even make you feel nauseous. Listeners are a part of some sound art experiences because the sounds used create art in how they affect the body and mind.
Sound art is difficult to define, and even those who are considered pioneers in the field can’t agree on what it means. According to some experts, the term was coined to help describe the concept in relation to traditional art; a sound artist employs tones and audio effects in the same way that a painter employs colors and shapes. Others argue that the term distinguishes it from musical composition because sound art is more dependent on its surroundings and specific objects than music that can be picked up and played anywhere.
Sound art has become a popular form of conceptual art, and sound art installations can often be found in museums of modern and experimental art. As a child, the experience from one exhibit to the next may be completely different, with completely different means, goals, and technology. It is well worth a trip to a local exhibition for art or music enthusiasts to discover the new world being created by sound artists.