Abstract
Sense of hearing provides an effective, immersive and empathetic way to observe, map and explore places with a more-than-human approach. In our contemporary mediascape inundated by visual stimuli, the rediscovery of sound offers a different understanding of the world. By discussing two research-based sound design projects, this study discusses 1) the potential of using soundscape as an empathetic research tool in multispecies ethnography and 2) how soundscape as a communication media could stimulate more-than-human exploration and empathy. Such design outcomes develop an empathic and conscious understanding of human-nature interaction, even in an urban context. Intersecting science, research and creative practices, the projects use soundscape for ecological exploration and narratives. The projects contribute to how ecological soundscape plays a significant role in the sound-driven design process to re-establish kinship between humans and more-than-humans, thereby nurturing urban-nature re-discovery and coexistence.
Keywords
ecological soundscape; more-than-human; multispecies ethnography; empathy
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.752
Citation
Valsecchi, F., Chen, H., and Zhang, Q. (2024) Designing through ecological soundscape to foster human-nature interaction, in Gray, C., Ciliotta Chehade, E., Hekkert, P., Forlano, L., Ciuccarelli, P., Lloyd, P. (eds.), DRS2024: Boston, 23–28 June, Boston, USA. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.752
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Conference Track
Research Paper
Included in
Designing through ecological soundscape to foster human-nature interaction
Sense of hearing provides an effective, immersive and empathetic way to observe, map and explore places with a more-than-human approach. In our contemporary mediascape inundated by visual stimuli, the rediscovery of sound offers a different understanding of the world. By discussing two research-based sound design projects, this study discusses 1) the potential of using soundscape as an empathetic research tool in multispecies ethnography and 2) how soundscape as a communication media could stimulate more-than-human exploration and empathy. Such design outcomes develop an empathic and conscious understanding of human-nature interaction, even in an urban context. Intersecting science, research and creative practices, the projects use soundscape for ecological exploration and narratives. The projects contribute to how ecological soundscape plays a significant role in the sound-driven design process to re-establish kinship between humans and more-than-humans, thereby nurturing urban-nature re-discovery and coexistence.