Pieter de la Courtgebouw

Pieter de la Court
Room: 1A20

Sonic

Date

Tuesday 22 September 2020
Expired!

Time

09:00 - 12:00

Labels

Class,
Seminar

Listening Seminar Andrew 22 September 9-12h

This Seminar focuses on two questions. Firstly, what are the potentials, and limitations, of doing anthropology in sound: of ethnographies that are not written texts, but tape cassettes, CDs, or audio installations? Secondly, what can sound contribute to cinema (particularly of the ethnographic variety) beyond music’s emotional manipulation? To considering the former, we will listen, in class, to several “sonic ethnographies” and discuss them in dialogue with the assigned literature (written by their creators). The second question, illustrated by the Audio-Vision online module, will be discussed through reference to Paul Henley’s essay and the first chapter of Michel Chion’s Audio-Vision.

10:30 – 12:00 — Field Recordings 3: An exploration of contemporary anthropological cinema and landscape film

During the second half of the seminar, we will explore Field Recordings – an annual program in Rotterdam on visual anthropology, sound art and landscape film. Founded in 2018 by Sander Hölsgens and Tim Leyendekker, Field Recordings is a platform for screening, discussing and practicing critical forms of fieldwork – from sensory ethnographies and experimental documentaries to intersectional methodologies, live sound performances and situated praxes of listening.

Sander and Tim will join us to present their vision for the program, show some pieces that inspire their thinking, and elaborate on details of our collaboration.

Class Exercise + Assignment

For this year’s program, the Visual Ethnography master’s program and Field Recordings join forces to reflect on and challenge the current state of visual ethnography. Specifically, you’ll work in groups of two or three to engage with one of the ten sections of this year’s program. Each group is encouraged to respond to this specific section – in a form, shape or manner that resonates with you. For instance, you can write a critical piece on a feature-length film, use the line-up of works as a starting point for an artistic intervention, design a counter-program, form a reading/film group in the lead-up to the event, or work towards drawings on how spectators engage with an installation piece.

The underlying question for all responses is: “How can visual ethnography contribute to addressing contemporary social issues?”

On the 22nd, we’ll watch and listen to a couple of works from Field Recordings. As a class exercise, you’ll then be assigned to your group and will collectively come up with a potential response to these audiovisual pieces.

In the first week of October, Tim and Sander will share the finalised program for this year’s event, including an opportunity to indicate your group’s preference for a specific section of the event. Based on these preferences, you’ll be assigned a section of the program – which you’ll be expected to attend during Field Recordings. Responses can be made before, during and after Field Recordings – and the outcome should be submitted through Brightspace no later than 4 December. There are no other formal requirements. In other words: This is an opportunity for you to experiment with different modalities and methodologies – and use your voice to try to affect the public debate on visual ethnography.

Field Recordings 3 starts on Friday 6 November with screenings by Lynne Sachs, Tran T. Kim-Trang, and Daniel Asadi Faezi, and will end on Sunday 8 November with the Dutch premiere of Joshua Bonnetta’s The Two Sights. Throughout the weekend, there will be screenings, workshops, Q&As, installations, and seminars. Field Recordings takes place at WORM, Rotterdam.

NB. A side event of Field Recordings will take place on Wednesday 14 October. We’ll share more details with you at the end of the month.