Sonic Art & Sound Design- P9:Sonic art is a new art form, or rather, forms. As we shall see, it can encompass a wide range of activities, perhaps wider than almost any other art form. It is an unusual case, based upon a medium that has traditionally been regarded as inferior and subservient to other creative or expressive forms. | Artists and their Work In this section we meet five artists whose work falls under the umbrella of sonic art. They have been chosen to demonstrate the remarkably wide scope that sonic art encompasses. We can argue the definition of sonic art from any number of standpoints some musicians claim it to be a sub-set of music whereas equally some fine artists claim it as a category within their subject. Interestingly all our interview subjects regard themselves as sound artists despite the widely varying forms of practice in which they are involved and this leads us to conclude that such sure identity may possibly be perceived as a threat by the traditional disciplines. ARTISTS AND THEIR WORK THE SENSE OF HEARING CANNOT BE CLOSED OFF AT WILL. THERE ARE NO EARLIDS. WE ARE CONTINUALLY ABSORBING AND FILTERING THE SOUNDSCAPE. WHEN WE GO TO SLEEP OUR PERCEPTION OF SOUND IS THE LAST DOOR TO CLOSE AND IT IS THE FIRST TO OPEN WHEN WE WAKE UP. THE EAR S ONLY PROTECTION IS AN ELABORATE PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISM FOR FILTERING OUT UNDESIRABLE SOUND IN ORDER TO CONCENTRATE ON THE DESIRABLE. THE EYE POINTS OUTWARD AND THE EAR DRAWS INWARD. IT SOAKS UP INFORMATION. JANEK SCHAEFER AUDIO IMAGE
