Changtai Xu
About
My project explores the impact of urban noise on different groups of people through motor-driven interactive sound installations. Using various materials for the surfaces, the project simulates different sensitivities to noise and creates and records noise traces on these surfaces. Through interviews and workshops, I discovered that noise increases stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort, with different people reacting differently to noise.
In the project, the audience interacts with the installations to experience the effects of different noise environments. The installations incorporate sounds such as electronic device noise, background music, street noise from crowds and traffic, and construction site noise. The audience can adjust the volume and frequency through knobs or touch screens, experiencing the psychological and physiological impacts of different intensities and combinations of noise. The surfaces are made of various materials like metal, plastic, and wood, which the audience can swap to observe how they affect noise transmission and response. Additionally, the audience can simulate using earplugs and noise-canceling headphones to experience their effectiveness in different noise environments.
During the interaction, the audience not only adjusts the noise and materials to intuitively feel the impact of noise on the body but also records their feelings and feedback through touch screens, aiding further research on noise impacts. These interactive designs aim to enhance the audience’s awareness of urban noise issues and encourage them to take measures in daily life to mitigate the negative effects of noise pollution on health.
Through this project, I hope to provoke deep thinking about the impact of urban noise, demonstrating the significant role of sound art in raising public awareness and improving urban sound environments. As the audience interacts with the installations, they can profoundly experience and understand the multifaceted impacts of noise and learn methods to cope with noise, finding ways to protect themselves in noisy environments.
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