Sonic (and Other) Environments as the Mirror of Society (and as the Challenge for Artistic Testimony)

Abstract

The main topics of the paper are the (non)ecological dimensions of sonic and other environments in contemporary world reflecting the “suchness” and quality of certain cultures and society of global transcapitalism in its late phase of digitalisation, and devastation as well. Various social discursive and nondiscursive practices of this civilization influence very deeply our ways of living in many important dimensions—spiritual, moral, ecological, economic, political, and way of communication among others, which is mirrored in different sonic (and other) environments we are situated.

The author refers to the special works of arts, kind of new musical discourses appropriating field recordings of unique environments, sonic sculptures, or intermedia installations in social-critical contexts as the testimonies of such artists as Bob Ostertag (USA), Peter Machajdík, Jonáš Gruska (both SK), among others.