On Aural Selfies

Findlay-Walsh, I. (2022) On Aural Selfies. Everyday is Spatial: Immersive Audio Conference, Gloucester, UK, 16-17 June 2022.

Abstract

This paper presents and explores the taking of ‘aural selfies’ as a field recording concept and method, involving the self-conscious documentation of a recordist’s proximate listening space. Building upon the author’s practice-research in field recording and sonic autoethnography, this method is presented as a meeting point between self-conscious field recording practices (Westerkamp, Feld, Chattopadhyay) and present-day digital communications technologies and selfie culture. Short audio examples are used to demonstrate aural selfies as a practice-based method through which researchers and listeners may capture, share and encounter intimate sonic spaces, as well as critically engaging with boundaries between real and virtual sonic environments. Drawing upon Kodwo Eshun’s concept of sonic fictions as well as Francis Dyson and Mel Slater’s writing on sound in virtual reality environments, the taking of aural selfies is framed as a practice-based method in re-staging auditory reception, and one that is becoming increasingly prevalent in contemporary sonic culture including mainstream popular music.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Keywords: Immersive audio, field recording, personal listening, selfie, spatial audio, recording techniques.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Findlay-Walsh, Dr Iain
• Authors: Findlay-Walsh, I.
• Subjects: M Music and Books on Music > M Music; T Technology > T Technology (General); T Technology > TR Photography
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > Music

Related URLs

• Organisation