The Evolution of Sonic Perception: From Digital Fragments to Shortwave Signals
Sound art is exploring the tension between digital information overload and the physical realities of radio communication. Works highlighted in Sam Auinger’s “Denken mit den Ohren” series, such as Antonia Beeskow’s “rocococorecore” and Jacob Kirkegaard’s “Skywave,” demonstrate how artists use social media archives and shortwave frequencies to examine modern perception and communication.
How is digital fragmentation shaping modern sound art?
Artists are treating social media archives as raw material for sonic compositions. Antonia Alessia Virginia Beeskow’s piece, “rocococorecore,” uses this approach by utilizing a collection of text fragments, samples, and media pieces stored in her social media accounts.
According to the “Denken mit den Ohren” series, the title “rocococorecore” combines two distinct concepts. “Corecore” refers to the practice of mixing content from film, television, podcasts, and news with a sense of melancholy and meaninglessness. The “rococo” element introduces an ornamental focus on asymmetry and exaggeration.
By using fragments from authors like Bertolt Brecht, Edgar Allan Poe, and Joy Division, artists can create works that reflect the “short attention span” era.
The term “corecore” refers to elements that mix contents from film, television, podcasts, news and social media with a feeling of melancholy and meaninglessness.
Why are shortwave frequencies returning to the spotlight?
Artists are looking at the physical properties of radio waves. Jacob Kirkegaard’s work, “Skywave,” focuses on the frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz.
Shortwave signals remain a discrete communication channel. As noted in the “Denken mit den Ohren” documentation, these signals are resilient and untraceable, serving as a channel for communication between states and intelligence agencies.
Kirkegaard’s compositions utilize specific radio phenomena, including frequency trills, Morse code sequences from number stations, and the dense hum found between frequencies.
How do digital decay and physical signals compare?
The landscape of sound art shows two methods of exploring modern existence: the digital and the physical.
| Feature | Digital Fragment Art (e.g., Beeskow) | Signal-Based Art (e.g., Kirkegaard) |
|---|---|---|
| Source Material | Social media, text, and digital samples | Shortwave radio frequencies (3–30 MHz) |
| Core Theme | Information overload and melancholy | Resilient, untraceable communication |
| Aesthetic Goal | Ornamental asymmetry and exaggeration | Sonic exploration of radio phenomena |
This contrast suggests a difference between the fragmented nature of digital life and the physics of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Sound art can be explored through the work of researchers like Sam Auinger.
What is the role of the Prix Palma Ars Acustica?
The Prix Palma Ars Acustica is an international competition. Organized by the Ars Acustica Group of the European Broadcasting Union, the competition has been announced since 2013.
The competition is open to various disciplines, including radio art, sound art, media art, and electroacoustic music. It specifically targets productions from members of the Ars Acustica group, which includes public broadcasting radio art departments across Europe.
By recognizing works like “rocococorecore” and “Skywave,” the Prix Palma Ars Acustica supports experimental sonic research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “corecore”?
Corecore refers to elements that mix content from film, television, podcasts, news and social media with a feeling of melancholy and meaninglessness.
What are shortwave frequencies used for?
Shortwave frequencies (3 to 30 MHz) are used for resilient and untraceable communication, including signals between states and intelligence services.
Who organizes the Prix Palma Ars Acustica?
The competition is organized by the Ars Acustica Group of the European Broadcasting Union.
What do you think about the intersection of digital noise and sound art? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on the future of media art.
