OUGD505 - Studio Brief 1 - Micro Genres - Key points and Initial Ideas

Key points of the genre and Initial Ideas

Some of the key considerations within the brief were listed and research / quotes were linked to these themes to help focus the research to the most appropriate parts which will help fulfill the brief.

Ambient Music : Key Points

Key Intentions

- the music aims to tint the atmosphere of the location it is played within, it is described as 'an all around tint to my sonic environment'.

- it can be listened to in any position and can be background or foreground music 

- it aims to immerse the listener and this has been described as being able to 'swim in it, to float in it, to get lost inside' 

Connection to place

- Table music was one of the earliest forms of ambient music and was designed to mask the clatter of knives and forks and neutralise street noises. It would however take into account the surrounding noise. 

- This type of music was often used by creatives within their studios 

- In the 70s there was a change in how music was being listed to, people wanted choices. People would would have music for home and work.

- Brian Enos airport music was designed for airports and would take into consideration announcements, people speaking and airport noises.

- After Brian Enos accident he was in Hospital which prompted him to develop ambient music. A friend brought him a harp record which was played however the hifi was too quiet because the speaker was broke meaning he could just hear the music above the rain. He described it as being 'like little crystals, sonic icebergs out of the storm'

- Furniture Music is similar to Table Music, it was designed for parties and performed live with traditional instruments.   

Production methods

- the structure of Brian Enos record packaging had linear notes to accompany the music which is considered to be almost 'high' brow art 

- tape recordings were used to imitate and borrow sounds from the environment, these would reflect the processes and systems of the natural world e.g. sticks and stones. Eno described this process as composting and converting music and sounds. It was found that when Eno visited Uganda he would sit on the patio with a microphone to catch sounds.

- tape loops were also used, multiples of these were played together at different lengths to create random interactions. In Brian Eno's discreet music jacket there was a description of the tape loop system in which it talks about how this is the object of interest, with the recording showing the possibilities of the system.

- synthesizers were also important tools within the creation of ambient music.

Initial Ideas for themes / quotes

Table Music 

- layout a table scene in the 1920's style 

- knives and forks falling on the table could be reflected through a a welded sculpture or by hanging them from something so they dangle down. Plays on the concept of masking the clatter of knives and forks and ambient musics aim of eliminating distractions.

- furniture music was described as 'being similar to an easy chair', maybe this could be made in some form

Tint the atmosphere / Tint to my sonic environment 

- screens could be used in different colours allowing visitors to see the exhibition in different ways

- create some glasses with different lenses which would change the environment colour 

- hear another shade / another layer to hearing by amplifying or decreasing sound. Different sounds can create different shades and colours creating a light installation like mood lighting.

Enos Hospital experience

- make crystals in the rain 

- create a short video sequence reflecting an 'iceberg out of the storm' 

The airport 

- create the set up of an airport waiting area with sound recordings of people talking and with intercom announcements

Immersion in music 

- create a dreamy video, with colours and water and sky imagery to reflect the quote 'float in it, swim in it, get lost in it' this would also link to the meaning of ambient music which comes from the latin ambien / ambire 'to go around' which applies to surroundings e.g. sky and air 

Imitates the processes and systems of the natural world 

Tape loops

- different lengths could be connected together to reflect the set up of combining multiple tracks with the system. Overlapping and intertwining the tape loop reels to reflect the 'random interactions' that are created during the process. 

- The tape loops could be coloured differently so when they overlap they create new colours.  

Listen to it in any position, use it as background or foreground music, listen to it 

upclose or faraway  

- able to read the work up close but further away the lines of text are not legible

- show the different positions the work can be listened to from
- view the work from a certain point, the viewer can't get close becomes part of the background rather than the foreground

Seen as high art 
- display the original descriptions that were within the packaging. These could be printed and exhibited in frames suggesting high art.