Sound Recording, Reading Response, Synesthesia and Cymatics

Sound Recording Experience:

Our sound recording experience was good overall.  I felt that the work was split up between each of the group members evenly, and that all of us were willing and helpful in making our ten-minute soundtrack. We were able to get all of our recordings in an apartment and right outside the apartment. It was very interesting to see how random objects could make the most interesting sounds. It was a good thing that we kept a sound log because when we were editing our recordings down to the best ten minutes, some of the sounds were surprising, because they didn’t seem to match with their sources.

Moritz reading:

I found this reading to be absolutely fascinating. I enjoyed being introduced to the names of revolutionary filmmakers that I knew nothing of before now. Although I enjoyed the whole reading, I want to focus on the section that explains the work of Walther Ruttmann. I was drawn to the section about him specifically because I too am a painter and classically trained musician who aspires to use film as an art medium. I am inspired by the fact that he was able to apply his skills as a painter and musician to his films. I watched his first film, Movie Opus I (1921), which is available on Vimeo. I thought I would get tired of watching abstract shapes in various colors moving around and across the screen for eleven minutes, but I really didn’t. Moritz says that Absolute Films do not reference a story and this one definitely did not, but it did follow a certain arc. The shapes moved in ways that conveyed different emotions and were enhanced by the colors and music. Overall, it has made me even more enthusiastic about the “Absolute Film.”

Synesthesia and Cymatics:

It was interesting watching the synesthesia video because I think I am a Synesthete. When I hear certain sounds, I see different colors. In other words, I hear colors. When I hear a sound and physically see a different color in front of me, it makes me slightly uncomfortable. It was interesting to see Synesthesia explained in the video where the artist had the same experience. Cymatics was also fascinating…I did not realize this was even a thing. Cymatics seems like the intersection between science and sound and art. It is honestly amazing not only that it exists, but also that individuals have been able to experiment with it and use it in so many creative ways.