Soundscape: Two On Distrative Listening

Here are two short videos that explore the distraction that has become a part of everyday life in those cultures focused around the use of mobile technologies.

I Forgot My Phone (2:10) Directed by Miles Crawford. Cell phones are everywhere and affect human interaction as this short comedy-drama films shows so well. Source: YouTube

Nobody's Listening (1:17) A short film by John Seabright demonstrating how many people today simply listen to mp3players while outside than actually listen to the acoustic world around them. Source: Vimeo

Noise Issues: Road-Zone Effect

The Road-Zone Effect (4:38) by Scott Wolfe. A binaural sound video project that explores the affects of sound from Highway 77 in Kenedy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas.

Documentary: In Pursuit Of Silence (trailer)

In Pursuit Of Silence (4:12) Transcendental Media is producing a new documentary about silence; our relationships with sound; and the impact of noise. This is an introductory video to the film in production. Source: Vimeo

From the producers web site: "In Pursuit of Silence is a meditative film about the value of silence, our relationship with sound, and the implications of living in such a noisy world. From the Desert Fathers of the third century AD who became the model for Christian monasticism to John Cage’s seminal work 4’33” which would go onto inspire a generation of artists, humankind has had a long fascination with silence. In our race towards modernity, amidst all the technological innovation and the rapid growth of our cities, silence is now quickly passing into legend. We struggle to hear ourselves think, imagine, and connect with one another. Offering audiences a contemplative cinematic experience, the sights and sounds of this film will work its way through frantic minds, into the quiet spaces of hearts, and help shape a new vision of being."

Phonographer: Lawrence Barker

The Field Recordist (33:35) This film is a personal reflection of Lawrence Barker's passion for audio field recording over the past 45 years. He notes, “Audio field recordings act as a powerful trigger, transporting me back to the original place they were captured………they are more powerful than any image captured on camera and even surpass those caught on video – they are quite magical!” Source: Vimeo

Documentary: Archiving Industrial Sounds

Changing Sounds of an Industrial City - Leicester (2:27) (BBC) This news segment focuses on the documentation of the sounds of industry in Leicester, UK. It is part of an Affective Digtal Histories project that "...explores the hidden and untold stores of the people who lived and worked in the former industrial buildings at two locations in the East Midlands: Leicester's Cultural Quarter and Clossop, a mill town in North Derbyshire." Source: BBC

Lecture: Soundscape Ecology: the new frontier in ecology

Soundscape Ecology: the new frontier in ecology  (43:17) Almo Farina is Professor of Ecology and vice-director of the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at the University of Urbino, Italy. This is a video of his lecture on 10 July 2014 at Humbold University, Berlin. “I consider the field of soundscape ecology a true frontier of ecology, offering a new perspective to investigate the complexity of our world. I am sure that educating people in listening to the sounds of nature and those produced by human activity will guarantee a better understanding of the dynamics and roles of living beings.” Almo Farina (University of Urbino, Italy). Read more
Source: YouTube

Documentary: City Sound Composition

Urbaphonix (6:21) "The musicians of Urbaphonix listen to their soundscape and play, live and on-site with the technology, sounds, objects and people they encounter : the faithfully apply John Cage's advice "If a sound disturbs you, listen to it!"

"Directed by composer Michel Risse, Décor Sonore is a unique composition and production tool, aimed at sound creation for open spaces and street arts.

The city is Decor Sonore’s support and material for its dramatic investigation. Its creations indulge in sounds, resonances, harmonies of natural or industrial elements our everyday urban life is composed of, to offer us a unique perception of the world.Its unusual productions invite us to listen to our sound environment differently and re-invent our relationship to music.

Internationally regarded as one of the most innovating French companies, Décor Sonore offers the public uncommon entertainments combining drama, pyrotechnics, poetry, technology, humour, and, of course, musical creation. Its productions range from very intimate forms to huge events, and talks to every audience.

Source: Vimeo

Soundscape Installation: Listen Sandy

Listen Sandy (2:23)  A public phone serves as a venue for telling stories about the experiences individuals had during hurricane Sandy when it struck the eastern coast of the United States.  This link takes you to a blog page with video, stills, and background information about this installation.