[SOUNDSCAPTION]

captioned soundscape without sound

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[SOUNDSCAPTION] is a series of no-audio videos aimed to trigger sonic imagery and investigates “visually listening” as an aspect that aurally diverse listeners may have in common. Exhibiting various soundscapes, this series employs captions to present the sound of videos from my footage archive.

The idea of this work came when I, a neurodivergent person, had sensory overload during the COVID-19 pandemic. It induced me to watch most online videos with muted audio, resulting in a divergent sense of connection to audiovisual sources. I then manifested this experience by creating soundscapes using just visuals—recorded videos and captions—presenting the idea of imagined sound. Therefore, we listen by seeing an object without perceiving its sound. Here, “visually listening” may play an active role in establishing our sense of place.

This work offers the opposite of an acousmatic experience: in acousmatic listening, we listen to sound without seeing the sounding source; in this work, we listen by seeing an object without perceiving its external aural stimulus.

The ongoing series [SOUNDSCAPTION] is now comprised of “[SOUNDSCAPTION: Soundwalk],” “[SOUNDSCAPTION: Self-quarantine],” and “[SOUNDSCAPTION: Applause].”

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Work details

[SOUNDSCAPTION: Soundwalk]

Year created: 2020

​All the footage was filmed by Jay Afrisando in Yogyakarta, Minneapolis, Seoul, Solok, Chicago, London, Liverpool, Bukittinggi, Boston, San Francisco, River Falls, Warrensburg, Sisters, somewhere above Cilacap, and somewhere in Illinois between 2015 and before mid-March 2020, except the clip at 03:37-04:36 that was filmed outdoor in September 2020 through social distancing, with my face covered with a mask.

Presentation

There are New Suns, Aguijon Theater, Chicago, IL, US, 11 May 2024.

ARGOS Projector: The Faraway Nearby, ARGOS Centre for Audiovisual Arts, Brussels, Belgium, 25 June 2021.

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[SOUNDSCAPTION: Self-quarantine]

Year created: 2021

​All the footage was filmed by Jay Afrisando during his self-quarantine in his apartment, St. Paul, MN, US, in 2020.

Presentation

EARmaginations, SoundPedro 2021, Angels Gate Cultural Center, San Pedro, CA, US (online and possible offsite exhibition).

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[SOUNDSCAPTION: Applause]

Year created: 2021

​All the footage was taken from Jay Afrisando's performances in Yogyakarta, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Warrensburg, and Seattle between 2015 and 2020.

Presentation

There are New Suns, Aguijon Theater, Chicago, IL, US, 11 May 2024.