El altavoz como pantalla y símbolo sonoro

Abstract

In the dimensional aspect of sound, in its electroacoustic representation, the loudspeaker is involved in a very direct way. This brief analysis focuses on three fundamental dimensions of the loudspeaker: tech­nical, visual and symbolic. In relation to the technical aspect, the engine-based nature of the loudspeaker displaces its own membrane creating a movement that can be observed in particular when certain intensity, and very low frequency sounds are played. We can visually see their evolutions and establish an analogy between this apparent movement and sound that is produced. This is what turns the loudspeaker into a graphic screen that is capable of offering an audio-visual analogy which was used by artists such as Rolf Julius, Carsten Nicolai, Gary Hill or Pierrick Sorin to develop various modes of sound visualization who worked through or with it. This relates to the second aspect, the visual dimension. In relation to the third aspect, the loudspeaker offers us a symbolic and referential image of electroacoustics. A symbol, which has been used as a dimensionalrepresentation of electroacoustics. In this sense, different methodologies and experiences, have shared these uses of the speaker (as engine and as a symbol) which have been reflected in the artistic practices of sound art that will be explored in this article.