Sound Artist: Susan Philipsz

Assignment #28: Research 1 or (if you signed up for 3 credit points) 2 artists who have used sound in their work. Observe how they used it; how obvious that component is; and how creative they were in their approach. Blog about it.

Susan Philipsz is a Scottish artist-musician who is best known for her sound installations. For most of her sound installations, she sings a cappella covers of songs played over a public address system in an art space or public space (or both).

Philipsz's approach to sound art makes me question what I have always questioned in sound art...what is the distinction between sound art and music? Even in the music industry, music videos and live performances are the visual and the sound coming together. The only difference I really see is where the sound is played.

For example, if organized sound is played in a concert hall, it seems to be music because that is what is associated with that specific space. That space is built to amplify sound in a particular way, with or without amplification technology and equipment. However, in a gallery space, we associate visual art, whether in 2D or 3D, still or in motion - sound art seems to touch upon that questioning of a space that is usually reserved for visuals.

The above video, known as "Lowlands" is a culmination of three versions of a 16th century Scottish lament, played under three bridges in Glasgow over the same river, River Clyde. This piece won her the 2010 Turner Prize (a first time achievement for sound art since the Turner Prize is usually given to a visual artist).

The space here is public and accessible. Because it is not a live performance, it would be odd for any of us to go to a bridge to listen to music. I think re-positioning where we expect certain sounds or music to be is what makes sound art, such as "Lowlands" so interesting, and also it brings up questions to why there are places and times that sounds/music are appropriate anyways!