There is No Soundtrack: Rethinking Art, Media, and the Audio-Visual Contract

There is no soundtrack explores how sound and image produce meaning in contemporary experimental media art, challenging visual hegemony and exploring the lack of diversity in sound studies. It contributes to a growing interdisciplinary scholarship by building new frameworks to collectively sonify the study of culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 28 June 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

There is no soundtrack is a captivating exploration of the interplay between sound and image in contemporary experimental media art, delving into the works of artists such as Chantal Akerman, Nam June Paik, and Tanya Tagaq. Through a comprehensive analysis of key concepts in sound studies, including voice, noise, listening, and the soundscape, the book contextualizes these diverse artistic expressions and their creators. It argues that experimental media art emerges as a powerful medium for creating radical and innovative audio-visual relationships, challenging the traditionally visual-dominated discourses in art, media, and the human sciences. Moreover, the book goes beyond addressing visual hegemony and delves into the issue of lack of diversity within sound studies. By focusing on practitioners from transnational and diverse backgrounds, it contributes to a growing interdisciplinary scholarship, forging new and intricate frameworks to collectively sonify the study of culture.

The book's insightful analysis and compelling arguments make it a valuable resource for scholars, artists, and anyone interested in exploring the dynamic relationship between sound and image in contemporary art. It offers a fresh perspective on the potential of experimental media art to challenge established norms and push the boundaries of artistic expression. Through its interdisciplinary approach, it encourages a deeper understanding of culture and its sonic dimensions, paving the way for new and exciting research avenues.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526163844