Auditory Champion
Reshuffling the Sensory Hierarchy
The eyes act as the window through which we visually connect to the world; that which exists outside of the body, separate from the self. Visual connections rely heavily on preconceptions and common perspectives from which representation triggers associated feelings about an experience, rather than an actual experience. That is to say, there is a viewer and that viewer has a history of experiences that has created a catalog of feelings and emotions from which they project an emotional response onto visual display. Visual creators make assumptions about viewers, their past experiences and effective implications on the work at hand. The more shared or understood background experiences of the viewer, the more accurately the creator can predict the understanding of or reaction to the vision. To understand based on visual cues alone is an empathetic experience segregating the viewer, leaving openness for interpretations of the work.
Vision thrives as the dominant sense while media and representations increasingly exploit and appeal to that dominance. A transition from voyeur to an active participant begs a whole body commitment and variety of senses. Through touch and taste an experience becomes an extension of the self. Through smell and sound an experience becomes an active influence on the body.
Adjusting ratios of the employment of various senses can command powerful reactions and attractions. As mentioned previously, visual considerations are commonly awarded the highest amount of importance. If included at all, auditory, hegemonic, gustative, and olfactive considerations are degraded to that of a sidekick.
A reworking of the sensory hierarchy reestablishes the common understanding of space and representation. This project shifts the role of the dominant sense to one that is understood by the whole body before registering in the mind, thus increasing individual spatial connection. Understanding space through the body first leads to a more robust and intentional experience; drawing on the viscerality with which one reacts to intense heat, sour scents, a loud echoing screech.
Vision thrives as the dominant sense while media and representations increasingly exploit and appeal to that dominance. A transition from voyeur to an active participant begs a whole body commitment and variety of senses. Through touch and taste an experience becomes an extension of the self. Through smell and sound an experience becomes an active influence on the body.
Adjusting ratios of the employment of various senses can command powerful reactions and attractions. As mentioned previously, visual considerations are commonly awarded the highest amount of importance. If included at all, auditory, hegemonic, gustative, and olfactive considerations are degraded to that of a sidekick.
A reworking of the sensory hierarchy reestablishes the common understanding of space and representation. This project shifts the role of the dominant sense to one that is understood by the whole body before registering in the mind, thus increasing individual spatial connection. Understanding space through the body first leads to a more robust and intentional experience; drawing on the viscerality with which one reacts to intense heat, sour scents, a loud echoing screech.
