Jesse Seay; Knitted VU Meter; 2014; Image courtesy of the artist.
I am delighted to present the fifth issue of the Interference Journal, an issue for which I was the lead editor. This was quite an intensive experience taking the lead on a special issue, since 2009 I have worked as an editor, which comes with its own responsibilities but being in charge of the shape of an entire issue is a whole other ball game. Really enjoyed the experience though, and will definitely be up for doing it again in the future.
This issue of Interference asked authors to consider sound as the means to which we can explain the sonic. Contributions to the study of sound, apart from practice-based works, are often disseminated through language and text. This is the case for most analysis or research into sensory based and phenomenological studies. There is of course a strong case to be made for text; it is the universal way in which contemporary knowledge is transmitted. But perhaps there is an argument to be made for new ways to not only explore sound but to disseminate ideas around the sonic. For example, in what way can ‘sonic papers’ represent ideas about the experience of space and place, local and community knowledge? How can emerging technologies engage with both the everyday soundscape and how we ‘curate this experience’? What is the potential of listening methods as a tool to engage community with ‘soundscape preservation’ and as a tool to critique and challenge urban planning projects? Please click here for the journal.