Acousmacity

Acousmacity: sounds and images by Sarah LeMieux; photography by Chelsea Danburg and Eli Oberman Acousmatic is a word used to describe sound separated from its source. Using sound acousmatically creates a space to hear a sound on its own merits rather than functionally or informationally; it allows sound to be musical. Bernie Krauss, the soundscape ecologist, viewed "anthrophonic" sound -- sound generated by humans -- as an intrusion into the natural world of sound, but for me, the sound of humans and nature together makes New York City a beautiful sonic collaboration. Experimenting with those sounds can give us generative energy and insight into how human creativity can make a better world. The installation will feature several record players, on which visitors can play acousmatic sounds recorded from locations around the city, as well as fragments of music, past and present. The sounds can be played either individually, or simultaneously, to create unique soundscapes. Visitors may also choose images to project, to create a more immersive imaginary world that they can inhabit for a little while. I will begin with a demonstration, and a performance of a selection from my new electroacoustic album "Speculative Fiction." It is similarly music that combines acousmatic sounds and music from different times and places in my life to create an imaginary thought space to inhabit.