After the lecture, I started thinking about the essay we have to write and the topic I should do. I have felt that since the first essay in the first year where I wrote about the history of bossa nova music and then the most recent audio document on noise pollution and the role a sound artist could play in sound designing cities and combating this issue. It’s given me a deeper understanding of my academic goals and what I intend to get out of writing this. Initially, I haven’t been too fond of academic writing, mainly for its difficulty amongst someone like myself who is dyslexic and ADHD as well as more of a creatively chaotic person. I have found enjoyment in seeking out topics I have a little or basic understanding of and writing or adding to the cannon.
Specifically, in my last audio document, I didn’t intend my audio document to just be for the hand in. I saw it as my contribution to the academic field in some way or another. The more I study the theoretical side of sound arts the more frustrated I do get, specifically towards what is considered sound arts and what can be sound arts. Whether it can be a mixture or does it have to be sound arts in its purest form. As well as who created and dictates the cannon? I don’t see many people like myself in this sound arts academic field, a working-class immigrant from Brazil who grew up in a council estate. And does this beg the question of there is room for someone like me to be respected In the field?
I have an idea of writing about the sound arts cannon and specifically what makes something sound arts? And what the predominant themes are. Why cant things from my culture such as rapping be seen as sound arts? Why is that?
Another idea I have coming from my audio document is deep listening. Using field recordings as a practice to engage with mental health. As well as this the hand in speaks on how it should be a contemporary issue in sound arts. I do find the relationship between escapism, field recordings VR and the meta verse to be something interesting. They are all intertwined in my opinion. For if the future will be mainly in the metaverse, how can we recreate these environments such as forests, lakes, The ocean? In this new digital environment. As well as if there is room for fake environments within these places. Can we create an even better world in the meta verse, in terms of sound?
I’m more leaning towards the second option. I have really been interested in field recordings and their effects on human psychology. Living in London and wanting to be noise pollution free is what has spurred these thoughts. I want to do more research into deep listening and into field recording practitioners and their thoughts and other essays as well.