August 15, 2010
The Sound of Shadow
16 Projections in Space, 3 Movements in Time, 1 Silence
Concept
The Sound of Shadow is both an exhibition and a screening that researches into how sound affects image in the time based arts by excluding it. A group of selected artists develop and produce silent films, videos and unstable media works that invite the camera (and eyes) to stand in for the microphone (and ears). Manifestly using visual instead of auditory means, the artists concentrate on finding fresh concepts and innovative approaches to create enthralling moving images in every possible genre of the audio-visual domain. Showing the resulting works in the shape of a ‘symikony’ (meaning ‘visual symphony’) in three movements/parts with beamers set up in a silent project space, The Sound of Shadow underscores both the significance of silence and its prevailing absence in present-day time based arts.
Moving Silence
Although there are exceptions to the rule, most present-day filmmakers, video- and new media artists are increasingly abandoning the metier of constructing cinematographic space from mere visuals (e.g. movement, angle, frame, choice of décor, colour, editing, after-effects, animation) in favour of interlocking visuals with sound or sound effects. More to the point: they basically have become dependent on audio to complement or complete the visuals. Conversely spectators are growing accustomed to seeing with their ears, consequently developing an unwanted ‘deafness’ to images. Where for example the films of Hitchcock induce, famously effective, a visual apprehension of ‘the scary parts’, later suspense thrillers count wholly on the suggestive effects of ‘daunting audio’ (Stephen Spielberg’s Jaws). Nowadays most horror movies probably make one laugh (or yawn) when one mutes the sound.
The Sound of Shadow Exhibition Design
(Concept: Teresa van Twuijver, Eelco Wagenaar. Design: Sara Palomeque.)
