This subfield explores the use of sound as a primary element in installations, often incorporating music or ambient soundscapes.
Acoustics: The study of sound and its characteristics including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and propagation.
Soundscapes: An environment, or a part of an environment, composed of sounds that creates a unique atmosphere.
Installation Art: An art form that involves creating a three-dimensional artwork that transforms the perception of a space.
Sonic Art: A form of art that deals with sound as the primary medium of expression.
Spatialization: Techniques used to create a sense of space within audio recordings.
Recording Techniques: The methods used to capture high-quality audio, including the use of microphones and mixers.
Software Tools: Digital audio software used for sound manipulation, editing, and processing.
Sound Design: The art of creating or choosing sounds to enhance the aesthetic or emotional qualities of a space or art piece.
Environmental Awareness: The understanding of how sound affects the environment and human experience, including noise pollution.
Interaction Design: The design process of creating interactive installations, including sound installations.
Multi-channel Sound: Creating and manipulating sounds in multiple channels for a more immersive experience.
Sound Synthesis: The creation of sounds using electronic or computer-generated methods.
Live Performance: The use of sound installations in live performances, including concerts and theater productions.
Psychoacoustics: The study of how the human brain processes and perceives sound.
Site-Specificity: The practice of creating art that is specifically designed for a certain location or context.
Public Art: Artwork that is installed or exhibited in public spaces, such as parks and streets.
Multimedia Installations: The integration of multiple art forms, including sound, video, and sculpture, in an installation.
Collaboration: The practice of working with other artists, designers, and professionals to create a sound installation.
Instrument Building: The practice of creating unique musical instruments for use in sound installations.
Hacking and Modding: The modification or alteration of existing technology to create unique sound installation experiences.
Site-specific sound installations: These installations are created for a specific location or site and are designed with the existing architecture and space in mind. The sound elements are integrated into the space in a way that enhances the atmosphere of the environment.
Interactive sound installations: These installations require the audience to become actively involved in the creation of the sound. They might have sensors or other interactive devices that allow the audience to trigger sounds or manipulate the sound output.
Multi-channel sound installations: These installations use multiple speakers to create a surround sound experience. They can be designed to surround the entire audience, or they might be set up in a way that leads the audience through different areas of the installation.
Kinetic sound installations: These installations use movement to create sound. They might incorporate mechanical devices that produce sound when they move, or they might use motion sensors to trigger sounds.
Video sound installations: These installations incorporate sound into video art, often using sound effects and ambient noise to create an immersive experience.
Walk-in sound sculptures: These installations are larger, often physically immersive works that are designed to be entered and experienced from inside. They might be made from unusual materials or incorporate unusual shapes to create unusual acoustic spaces.
Sound installation performances: These installations might include live performers as well as pre-recorded or manipulated sounds. They can be scripted or improvised, and might incorporate dance, theater, or other performance art elements.
Virtual sound installations: These installations use virtual or augmented reality technology to create an immersive 3D audio experience. Wearable technology or headphones might be used to create a personalized soundscape for each individual audience member.