Research question
Is sound a factor in how we perceive unpowerful spaces?
What are the characteristics of sound in unpowerful spaces?
Experiment
To fully understand our task of spreading power through space, we first had to explore the power dynamics of space. We visited spaces we felt were inherently powerful, but found it hard to name specific places that were inherently unpowerful. Everyday places such as the liminal space of commute, busy grocery stores, and overly full trash disposal areas are where we decided to collect our recordings.
Commute – sidewalk
We first begin our experiment with a walk. This walk sparked a debate about what makes a space unpowerful. The spaces of our commutes give us the ability to travel throughout the city. However, the space is clearly bordered and defined by an outside source.
Grocery Store
Our conversation continued to the grocery store. The grocery store is a place that conveniently provides for entire communities, making it powerful. However, there are understood rules for how to behave within the store. There are limitations to how you interact and what you can purchase.
Overly Full Trash Disposal
Nobody likes an overly full trash disposal area. It smells. It looks gross. It’s physically a danger to those around it with broken glass or biohazards spilling onto the sidewalk. The power dynamics of the space are clear. It’s a space of service being overused or under-served. Often located near a busy street, there are no safeguards against sounds from the surrounding environment.
Findings
Different types of sound recordings of the above-mentioned spaces.
