Abstract

Full Paper. Session: Nature and Worlds / Possible listenings and recordings

Keywords: Sound installation, interactive technology, sound ecology, orthopteran insects, non-human communication

Écosysteme(s) is a self-interactive sound installation whose behavior and sound identity are inspired by the communication techniques of orthopteran insects. The term “self-interactive” is used here to emphasize that the device is self-regulating (the device listens to the sound it produces and adapts its behavior according to the result).

This article presents the creation process of Écosystème(s): a self-interactive installation. This work is based on an ecosystemic approach to sound creation. Such an approach aims at creating aesthetic, technical and conceptual links between ecology and sound art practices. In the context of Écosystème(s), it is expressed through the sharing of a sound and sensitive experience of fragile living systems. This perspective considers and practices listening as a means of understanding and confronting the ecological crisis, while attempting to convey it through an interactive work. This approach proceeds through the use of algorithmic processes for the fabrication of artificial sound environments that integrate, cohabit and underline existing natural sound relationships, in a dialogue between artificial technologies and natural ecosystems, while setting up a context for attentive listening. A great deal of room is left to intuition and imagination in this creative process, through the desire to seek a balance between concept and expression of interconnected subjectivity.

• Estelle Schorpp holds a masters degrees from École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris, France. She also graduated from Université de Montréal with a masters degrees in Sound Creation and Composition during which she wrote a thesis entitled Sonic interactive environments: an ecosystemic approach.She uses sound installation, music composition, writing, performance and new technologies to put together projects that both embrace and criticizes our daily relationship with our natural-cultural sonic environment. She is interested in sound ecology, hybridity between nature and technology, and the attention to the unremarkable. Her projects often consist in form of hybrid environments giving space to non-human narratives and to many imaginaries about soundscapes. Recently, she has been inspired by natural ecosystems and explores the potential of algorithmic systems through interactive sound installation. Her work has been presented in festivals such as Prix Ars Electronica (AT), MUTEK (MX, CA, AR, JP), FIMAV (CA), Exhibitronic (FR, GER), MuTeFest (FIN) and in group exhibitions at the Centre d’Exposition de l’Université de Montréal (CA), Palais des Beaux-Arts de Paris (FR) and Exhibition Laboratory (FIN). She has participated in study days and symposiums at CIRMMT (CA) and EHESS (FR). In 2016 she received the first Exhibitronic award for her electroacoustic composition Bagdad 9ème siècle. She is the recipient of several research-creation grants. https://estelle-schorpp.com