[ISEA2020] Paper: Bridget Johnson — Physicality and Spatialization in Sound Art

Abstract (short paper)

Keywords: Spatialization, Sound Art, Physicality, Mechatronics, Surround Sound

This paper identifies a trend within the field of spatial sound art in which artists are attempting to draw the audience’s attention to the physicality of moving sound. It discusses the history of virtualization and simulation of moving sound that has led to this phenomenon. As evidence of this emerging trend, four case studies of recent sound art pieces are discussed. The artistic works are from both performance and installation contexts with examples of both the author’s creative work and the works of others. All take new approaches to spatialization through the physical movement of sound sources.

  • Bridget Johnson creates immersive sound installations and performances that heighten the audiences experience with spatial audio. Her work focuses on exploring the way sound can move through space and developing new interfaces to allow composers and performers to further explore expressivity through real time spatialisation in their work. Her installations explore these themes in combination with site-specificity and abstraction of time. Bridget received a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington working with both the School of Engineering and Computer Science and the New Zealand School of Music. She is a Senior Lecturer and the Major Coordinator for Music Technology at College of Creative Arts, – Toi Rauwharangi – Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. Her works have been shown in the United States, Europe, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.