Boštjan Perovšek

The Eye That Hears the Past

Soundwalk

The work builds on two phenomena: synesthesia (a sensory experience where perceptual channels intertwine, and sensory information is transmitted from one sense to another) and dissociation (the ability of consciousness to temporarily withdraw from reality by creating distance from immediate physical and emotional experiences). The performance draws from two distinct yet compatible projects: An Eye That Hears (sound exhibition, Ljubljana Castle, 2012) and Corona Nights in Ljubljana (a binaural experience of sonic reality during the Covid pandemic, YouTube, 2020).

The soundwalk unfolds similarly to a cinematic narrative, in which the original sound is replaced by a different or new one, reshaping the perception of visible space. This is not a synchronous replacement of sound, but a multilayered substitution of perception, where time is a crucial component. The sound diverges significantly from the visual experience, as participants predominantly hear daytime sounds.

The effect raises awareness of environmental dissociation, referring to the separation or disruption of the connection between individuals and their natural environment. It manifests as a lack of environmental awareness and the subordination of ecological concerns to economic interests.

The work builds on two phenomena: synesthesia (a sensory experience where perceptual channels intertwine, and sensory information is transmitted from one sense to another) and dissociation (the ability of consciousness to temporarily withdraw from reality by creating distance from immediate physical and emotional experiences). The performance draws from two distinct yet compatible projects: An Eye That Hears (sound exhibition, Ljubljana Castle, 2012) and Corona Nights in Ljubljana (a binaural experience of sonic reality during the Covid pandemic, YouTube, 2020).

The soundwalk unfolds similarly to a cinematic narrative, in which the original sound is replaced by a different or new one, reshaping the perception of visible space. This is not a synchronous replacement of sound, but a multilayered substitution of perception, where time is a crucial component. The sound diverges significantly from the visual experience, as participants predominantly hear daytime sounds.

The effect raises awareness of environmental dissociation, referring to the separation or disruption of the connection between individuals and their natural environment. It manifests as a lack of environmental awareness and the subordination of ecological concerns to economic interests.

Boštjan Perovšek

A musician, composer and soundscape artist working in experimental, electro-acoustic and bioacoustic music. He performs solo and with various ensembles, including Jata C and SAETA. He is active in sound ecology through the organisation of sound safaris and has released several CDs and the vinyl LP Bio, Industrial Acoustica (green), featuring works from his bioacoustic and urban noise oeuvre.

Author: Boštjan Perovšek
Photo: Jože Suhadolnik (Delo), Matej Tomažin

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