Sound — Space — Architecture

This two-day workshop offers musicians and sound artists at all stages of their practice with an introduction to sound diffusion and spatialization on an 8-channel (octophonic) speaker system. Guided by facilitators Giorgio Magnanensi and Sara Gold, participants will have the opportunity to think about, listen to, and experiment with sound in spatial configurations.

Sound diffusion refers to the practice of projecting sound sources into a performance space. A commonplace example is the 5.1 surround sound of movie theatres, where sound emanates from additional speakers at the back and sides of the theatre to create a more engaging sound environment. Within a performance setting, the careful multi-channel distribution of sound can also help to structure and articulate an audio work, while lively special effects and panning can simulate motion to add colour and impact.

During the workshop these possibilities will be illustrated by using works by sound artists Sara Gold and Jacob Audrey Taves. Participants are also invited to bring short stereo audio files (.wav, .aiff, 44.1kHz only) on a USB drive to experiment with the octophonic system themselves.

About the Artists

Sara Gold performs live experimental techno and new music at small underground events and large scale festivals with a carefully curated collection of vintage analog instruments. Her practice includes sound art installations, field and studio recording, high concept audio/visual works, and teaching workshops on harnessing feedback and no input mixing.

Giorgio Magnanensi has a diverse artistic practice that includes composition, conducting, improvisation, circuit bending, video art, and sonic and spatial explorations. He is artistic director of Vancouver New Music and Laboratorio, and lecturer at the School of Music of the Vancouver Community College.

Jacob Audrey Taves is a composer and improviser who explores themes of alienation, post-industrial anxiety, and the push and pull between macro and micro social, political and sonic frameworks through a sonic language of errors, hum, crackle, feedback, and found sounds. Utilizing the fragile nature of malfunctioning equipment and exposing unintentional audio artifacts, Taves’ work gives errors room to develop and to have voices of their own in an emotive, free-form structure.

Accessibility

The Grand Luxe Hall is located on the second floor, which is accessed by a flight of 26 stairs. The second floor is not currently accessible to wheelchair users. Further details about accessibility at Western Front can be found here.

Acknowledgements

Presented in partnership with Vancouver New Music as part of METAXENAKIS, a festival inspired by the work and ideas of visionary composer Iannis Xenakis on his 100th anniversary, with the support of the Government of Canada and SOCAN Foundation.