Image: 'Hearing Voices II', 1994

Sound Art Workshops
Delivered through our SNAP programme
January 2011

Revealing the Invisible: The Art of Stansfield/ Hooykyaas from Different Perspectives, reveals why the artists Stansfield/ Hooykaas were described as having experimented with the latest discoveries in the audiovisual field. The use of sound is central to their work and the artists were particularly interested in extracting sounds from their environment. Recording journeys, the elements and sounds of the body they also used public space and sculptural interventions to create their audio- visual compositions.

Sound artist and composer Yann Seznec ran a fascinating session to a group of students from the Time- based Art degree course at Duncan of Jordanstone (University of Dundee). The day- long workshop began with a talk introducing experiments in sound by some important composers such as John Cage, Steve Reich and Iannis Xenakis; alongside explanations of Aleatoric music (where some element of the composition is left to chance), the dynamics of interfaces and light responsive music machines.

The students were encouraged to experiment: building sound generators, learning improvisation techniques, creating compositions and performing their extraordinary pieces.

The students said:
'Was awesome, a great experience'.

'I have enjoyed the workshop today… It was good to work with the artist as he was so enthusiastic'.

'It has been a great experience to learn more about sound art and circuit bending'.

'Inspiring place'.