Sounding Matters : Exploring the Potentials of Sonic Leakage in Contemporary Art Spaces

Abstract: Contemporary art spaces are typically structured in accordance with a visual paradigm. However, sound has the capacity to leak into other spaces and does not conform to visual logics. Still, sounding artworks are frequently presented in these spaces. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to examine the effects of leaking sounding works within art spaces with an emphasis on the sensory experience of sound, and to further the understanding of how this can be operationalised curatorially. The research is focused on these questions: How is sound operating to produce experiential effects in the respective exhibition situations? What are the transformative potentials of sounding works in art spaces? What are the curatorial implications of these effects? The study investigates two cases, the exhibitions Mother Courage and Her Children (2022) and Undamming Rivers (2022) that both provide examples of the interactions of sounding works in contemporary art spaces. The material is gathered through observation and analysed using the theory of performativity. The analysis defines a set of terms that describe different experiences of sounding works in the art spaces. Furthermore, these effects are shown to operate transformatively on the art event as aspects of a contemporaneous production and reception of the art. The concluding discussion elaborates on the curatorial implications of these terms in the curation of sounding works to show how sonic leakage facilitates definition of space, movement through space, and a layering of experience.