The Art + Practice of Soundscapism
Acoustic Ecology. Life. Interbeing. Texture. Energy.
Acoustic Ecology. Life. Interbeing. Texture. Energy.
to truly hear, we must listen with our entire body.
to listen with our entire body, we must breathe with our entire body.
to breathe with our entire body, we must breathe in harmony with the environment.
- jd hixson
to listen with our entire body, we must breathe with our entire body.
to breathe with our entire body, we must breathe in harmony with the environment.
- jd hixson
Soundscapism: a manifesto of the ordinary
My dream of soundscapism is based on a philosophy of pleasure. Of joy.
It is a celebration of the everyday. It is the simple pleasure and joy of listening.
In a world of sound that is liberated from the self-important domination of the visual, the imagination is free to create, to find meaning, to improvise. Once upon a time, before the internet and the mass proliferation of boring TV, radio dramas abounded. They were a delight. They still are.
In the world of wine, tea and Yerba Mate, there is terroir. The power of place. Randall Grahm reminds us that “…an esteem for terroir makes us look at our land, and our custodianship of it, with deep respect and love.” A soundscape can do this as well.
Henri Cartier-Bresson spoke and wrote of the decisive moment. Wandering with a microphone, we can engage in this same pursuit. Soundscapism, to paraphrase the great photographer, is sonographic reportage. A sound story. It is a composition that possesses vigor and richness. To make such a work, there is no formula. One must be on the alert with the brain, the ears, the heart and have a suppleness of body. To quote him directly: “There is subject in all that takes place in the world, as well as in our personal universe. We cannot negate subject. It is everywhere. So we must be lucid toward what is going on in the world, and honest about what we feel.”
Soundscapism is grounded in a philosophy of simplicity, not in complex, impressive contemporary musical composition theories and concepts. It adores the richness of nature, using simple techniques, with quality equipment and minimal processing. It upholds the values of attention, appreciation, acceptance and adaptation. It honors the present moment and pays great respect to magic, mystery and alchemy.
It honors chance and it honors craft. As Luc Ferrari wrote about his Presque Rien No. 1:
My dream of soundscapism is based on a philosophy of pleasure. Of joy.
It is a celebration of the everyday. It is the simple pleasure and joy of listening.
In a world of sound that is liberated from the self-important domination of the visual, the imagination is free to create, to find meaning, to improvise. Once upon a time, before the internet and the mass proliferation of boring TV, radio dramas abounded. They were a delight. They still are.
In the world of wine, tea and Yerba Mate, there is terroir. The power of place. Randall Grahm reminds us that “…an esteem for terroir makes us look at our land, and our custodianship of it, with deep respect and love.” A soundscape can do this as well.
Henri Cartier-Bresson spoke and wrote of the decisive moment. Wandering with a microphone, we can engage in this same pursuit. Soundscapism, to paraphrase the great photographer, is sonographic reportage. A sound story. It is a composition that possesses vigor and richness. To make such a work, there is no formula. One must be on the alert with the brain, the ears, the heart and have a suppleness of body. To quote him directly: “There is subject in all that takes place in the world, as well as in our personal universe. We cannot negate subject. It is everywhere. So we must be lucid toward what is going on in the world, and honest about what we feel.”
Soundscapism is grounded in a philosophy of simplicity, not in complex, impressive contemporary musical composition theories and concepts. It adores the richness of nature, using simple techniques, with quality equipment and minimal processing. It upholds the values of attention, appreciation, acceptance and adaptation. It honors the present moment and pays great respect to magic, mystery and alchemy.
It honors chance and it honors craft. As Luc Ferrari wrote about his Presque Rien No. 1:
Pure, inspired, proper improvisation…
Soundscapism is a dialogue, an interaction with our beautiful planet.
Perhaps John Tarrant says it best:
“To be able to offer back what the world has given you, but shaped a little by your touch - that makes a true life.”
Soundscapism is a dialogue, an interaction with our beautiful planet.
Perhaps John Tarrant says it best:
“To be able to offer back what the world has given you, but shaped a little by your touch - that makes a true life.”