Description:
This audio-work presents an overview of the different uses, developments and technologies that make use of SOUND in order to exert social control and power. The piece provides a conceptual approach to the topic by illustrating its applications through audio-quotes and other forms of documentation that analyze the impact and effects of these technologies, as well as it uses and abuses. By using a micro-tale or docudrama format, this work may contribute to the analysis of the effects of sound in human existence, enabling a critical analysis of this phenomenon.
A first version of ‘Sonic Weapons’ was produced and premiered on occasion of the Art’s Birthday Party 2009 (‘Safe & Sound’), organized by the Ars Acustica group. For all the details concerning the origin of the audio-quotes, please visit http://www.artesonoro.org/sonicweapons/. Except where otherwise noted, this audio-work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
Credits:
TITLE: “Sonic Weapons”
DIRECTION: Escoitar.org
PRODUKTION: Juan-Gil López, Chiu Longina
COMISIONED BY: Radio Nacional de España (Radio2) und der Ars Acustica International (European Broadcasting Union EBU). This sound work represented Spain at the Art’s Birthday 2009 / Diese Klanginstallation representierte “ Spain at the Art’s Birthday” 2009 (Safe&Sound Edition).
TEXT: Escoitar.org, Sylvia von Bukow
SOFTWARE: Pure Data
DURATION: 00:20:00
REALIZATION: 2009
FORMAT: Audio
Excerpts/Samplers/Recordings/Audio-Quotes:
“White Noise. House of Fun” (unruidosecreto.net);
“IZAR’s Siren” (Factorías Juliana S.A.U., Gijón 2008, recorded by Escoitar.org);
“The War of the Worlds” (Radio Theatre, Orson Welles. Audio-quote-), “Technocalyps” (documentary directed by Frank Theys. Audio-cita-);
“Music for Airports” (Brian Eno. Audio-quote);
“Musique d’ameublement” (Eric Satie. Audio-quote);
“The Tailanders” (documentary directed by Adele Horne. Audio-quote);
“Touch of a bell announcing female death” (recorded by Escoitar.org in Insua, Pontevedra. Spain 2008);
“Acoustic signals from the mine of Camocha” (recorded by Escoitar.org in Gijón. 2008);
“Radio NPR: For a Non-Lethal Weapon, Israel Uses Sound” (Audio-quote);
“Interview with Joseph about the fall of bombs in the Spanish Civil War” (recorded by Escoitar.org in Gijón. 2008);
“BBC Radio News about ultrasound under 25” (Audio-quote. BBC Radio);
“Standard Operating procedure” (documentary directed by Errol Morris. Audio-quote);
“Brain synch waves” (brain waves synchronized and generated by software).
Artists Bios: Juan-Gil López is a musicologist. Member of the net projects Mediateletipos.net, Artesonoro.org and Escoitar.org. In the last years he has developped different interdisciplinary research projects in the fields of ethnomusicology (music and ethnicity), contemporary music, and the relationships between music and Fine Arts.
Chiu Longina is an anthropologist, sound artist and acoustic spaces creator. Co-founder and member of the groups Escoitar.org, SINSALaudio, Alg-a, Artesonoro.org and Mediateletipos.net. Editor and free curator, works at this moment on a research about sound technologies of social control and acoustic weapons (the topic of his PhD).