Sound coming from outside the field of vision; from somewhere beyond; holds a privileged place in the Western imagination. When separated from their source; sounds seem to manifest transcendent realms; divine powers; or supernatural forces. According to legend; the philosopher Pythagoras lectured to his disciples from behind a veil; and two thousand years later; in the age of absolute music; listeners were similarly fascinated with disembodied sounds; employing various techniques to isolate sounds from their sources. With recording and radio came spatial and temporal separation of sounds from sources; and new ways of composing music.Sound Unseen: Acousmatic Sound in Theory and Practice explores the phenomenon of acousmatic sound. An unusual and neglected word; "acousmatic" was first introduced into modern parlance in the mid-1960s by avant garde composer of musique concregrave;te Pierre Schaeffer to describe the experience of hearing a sound without seeing its cause. Working through; and often against; Schaeffers ideas; Brian Kane presents a powerful argument for the central yet overlooked role of acousmatic sound in music aesthetics; sound studies; literature; philosophy and the history of the senses. Kane investigates acousmatic sound from a number of methodological perspectives -- historical; cultural; philosophical and musical -- and provides a framework that makes sense of the many surprising and paradoxical ways that unseen sound has been understood. Finely detailed and thoroughly researched; Sound Unseen pursues unseen sounds through a stunning array of cases -- from Bayreuth to Kafkas "Burrow;" Apollinaire to Žižek; music and metaphysics to architecture and automata; and from Pythagoras to the present-to offer the definitive account of acousmatic sound in theory and practice.The first major study in English of Pierre Schaeffers theory of "acousmatics;" Sound Unseen is an essential text for scholars of philosophy of music; electronic music; sound studies; and the history of the senses.
#3328813 in eBooks 2014-07-31 2014-07-31File Name: B00MLD1F44
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Truth in Art as BusinessBy H. EllisSerious information from essays by Mr. Grant. The truth is told here. Every art student should get this valuable can-I-make-a-living at creating art. Sometimes the truth hurts.81 of 82 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic overview very insightful.By Jack BertI read the 3rd edition by Daniel Grant. The book is aimed mainly at oil painters and sculptures. Even though I am interested in selling fine art photography the information was still much help since it gives such a complete view of selling art. Sales outlets include galleries; mail order; Internet; and others including the likely hood of success in each and examples of persons who have been successful in each. The conversational style is easy to read. Positives and negatives of various sales methods are given. The book neither depresses nor thrills but seems to evenly cover the material. Many many issues of selling art are covered. Just when you think the author is done he comes up with another factor to consider. Personal issues as to how to act are covered as part of the explanations and a chapter on "Handling the Pressures" of success and waiting for success is included. It includes an Appendix of names and addresses of helpful organizations. Makes you feel like you could make money in the arts. Overall it was a great read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy VPASGood book!
