The works showcased above are examples of assigning abstract visual values to sound. I recorded the sound of scissors opening and closing as a reference and also recorded the sound of two wine glasses clinking together. To begin, I learnt the basic principles of acoustics to gain a better understanding of the recorded sound, exploring the objective science of sound. I believe that examining the objective aspect of this topic helped me in exploring the subjectivity of the task I assigned myself.
Brief explanation of the waveform: A waveform (a graphic squiggly line) is a depiction of the pattern of sound pressure variation over a specified time period. It represents the displacement of air molecules resulting from vibration, which is how sound is created, in an abstract and understandable manner. The graphic representation depends on the velocity of the vibration, which causes the movement of air molecules. If the vibration is low, the molecules will move only slightly, resulting in a waveform depiction that differs from a higher vibration, where the molecules move more. The waveform depiction also depends on frequency and amplitude.
Air molecules travel in both positive and negative directions, which is why the line is depicted as a squiggle. The change in frequency alters this displacement, thereby changing the appearance of the graph. Frequency measures how many times a waveform repeats in a given amount of time, commonly measured in Hertz (Hz). If we consider the waveform as an abstract representation of sound, how can I depict sound in a way that appeals to me? How can I transfer this information to my discipline and communicate it using my own visual language? I began by recording sounds and transferring them to a waveform visualiser and analyser. Slowing down and stretching the audio helped me understand the nature of the recording. In the scissors clip, there are four frequency peaks. The first clip displayed provides a closer depiction of the waveform, while the others offer further elaboration and don't rely solely on the waveform. The wine glass experiments took a more abstract approach. The first clip is intended to depict a conversation of sorts, while the second clip conveys a sense of pace and brevity. I expanded on this concept to create graphic notation, which is also included in this portfolio under the 'Graphic Notation' tab.