WHAT IS SOUND ART?

What is sound art? It’s a question that’s created a fair amount of academic consternation, with some feeling it’s an apt description of certain kinds of gallery-based sonic explorations and others thinking it’s a vapid vanity-term for confused musicians.

I fall in the camp of those that feel sound art is a helpful term, describing something of note actually happening in the art world. For me, sound art is any sonic experience outside of traditionally performed/created music that is made to evoke emotion, ideally with a deeper artistic meaning underlying the work, whatever it may be.

My own mission in sound art has been to take my love for melody and composition and find new ways to engage audiences outside of traditional music experiences or venues with melody and composition. It has taken the form of guitars played by flowing sand, programmed motors, fishing lines, etc. It has also taken the form of the Arbow, a living tree instrument that I’ve begun experimenting with. Many people may hear what I do with these creations and consider it simply music, albeit played in overly-convoluted ways. To me, it’s more - it’s engaging with sound/melody/composition through an entirely unique lens, allowing music to be experienced in a conceptual way as well as emotional.

So, what is sound art?

My own definition is by no means the correct one. I’m just happy I’ve found a unique way to express myself with sound. It’s what I’ve always loved doing, whether in rock bands or with weird art gallery creations. Thanks for taking the time to read. Listen to some of my work or connect if you want to discuss further.