Does Sound Have Meaning?

Sound Researchers & Practitioners Convene to Discuss ‘symbolic sounds’ at KISS 2010

Vienna, 24-26 September 2010: Can music and sound-effects be symbolic? Sound designers, composers, sound artists, film makers, researchers and others sharing an intense interest in sound will be convening in Vienna Austria from the 24th through 26th of September to discuss this and other, similarly controversial, issues at the annual Kyma International Sound Symposium (KISS2010): http://www.tonsalon.at.

Lively discussions, electronic/computer music performances, interactive installations, demos, workshops, and paper sessions will be held in the newly renovated Casino Baumgarten, a spectacular ballroom built in 1890 (http://www.tonsalon.at/KISS2010/index.php/location), and the Rhiz Bar Modern, a showcase for experimental media in Vienna (http://rhiz.org/).

http://www.symbolicsound.com/zzz/pub/Company/UpcomingKymaEvents/CasinoBaumgartenViewfromStage.jpg ]

Join in the free on-line discussion

Anyone having an intense interest in sound is invited to join in the free on-line discussion at http://pphilosophyofsound.ning.com, a new forum created by symposium co-organizer, Peter Rantasa. Sign in and introduce yourself by sharing your earliest sonic memory. Discussions on sound, symbol, and meaning have already begun and will continue during and after the symposium. You can participate on line whether or not you are able to attend the symposium in Vienna.

To register for KISS2010:

The registration deadline for participating in KISS2010 is 13 September 2010. The participation fee of ¤ 90 (¤ 40 for students) includes the 3-day symposium, morning/afternoon refreshments, and 2 evening concerts. To register, please visit: http://www.tonsalon.at/KISS2010/index.php/registration/essentialreading before 13 September 2010.

Background

The Kyma International Sound Symposium (KISS) is an annual conclave of current and potential Kyma practitioners who come together to learn, to share, to meet, to discuss, and to enjoy a lively exchange of ideas, sounds, and music! Kyma is a sound design environment created by Symbolic Sound Corporation (http://www.symbolicsound.com). This year, the KISS symposium is being organized by Wiener Klangwerkstatt in cooperation with Symbolic Sound and with the support of Analog Audio Association Austria, Preiser Records, and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research.

Conference Contact Information:

Barbara Kopf
KISS 2010 Conference office
Email: office.KISS2010@tonsalon.at
Telephone: +43 (0)650 212 1646
Web: http://www.tonsalon.at/KISS2010

The American Society for Acoustic Ecology announces:

"Listening for the Future" first-ever national symposium addressing global soundscape

July 9th, 10th & 11th, 2010

Chicago, Illinois June 24, 2010 —Listening for the Future will take place from July 9-11, 2010 to actively engage with the most neglected aspect of our environment: the soundscape. Hosted by the newly-founded Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology and World Listening Project, this will be the first conference held by the American Society for Acoustic Ecology in Chicago, home to a thriving sonic arts community and center world for world-class architecture, on the shore of largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. An inspiring three days of discussion, workshops, concerts, and soundwalks are planned in an emerging field of study and activism that unites a broad range of social, scientific, and artistic concerns.

Event Highlights

Friday, July 9 – ‘Citizen Sound’ symposium (5-7PM) opens with a wine and cheese reception, introductions to each of the ASAE chapters, and presentations by leaders in Chicago’s cultural and advocacy scene at Columbia College, 33 E. Congress Parkway, basement lobby and room # LL11. Featured guests include Lou Mallozzi, Executive Director of Experimental Sound Studio and architect Graham Balkany of the Gropius in Chicago Coalition. A media lounge, where guests can sample CDs and peruse publications by participants, performers and ASAE members, will be open all night. Attendees will how they may participate in the first World Listening Day (July 18, 2010). Following dinner at a local eatery, we’ll be treated to a concert (8:30-10:30PM – $10) featuring ASAE member composers, performers and special guests.
Saturday, July 10 – Head "out of town" for an afternoon soundwalk (2-4PM) in Miller Woods, at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. After the dunes soundwalk, it’s back to the city for another group dinner (6:30-8:15) followed by a Chicago nightlife soundwalk (8:30-10PM). This day’s events should provide plenty of opportunities for informal conversation and networking among members.
Sunday, July 11 – ASAE members lead a workshop for children (2-3PM) and families near Gallery 400. ASAE members from New York, San Francisco, the Midwest, Southwest and beyond will present a concert in the gallery, 3:30-5:30PM at 400 S. Peoria Street (MC 034). This event will also be streamed live. The evening concludes with a live radio performance on Philip von Zweck’s “Something Else” show at 10 PM-12AM on WLUW 88.7FM.
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The ASAE – Listening for the Future

During the course of the symposium, the ASAE’s governing body and leaders from all the regional chapters will be meeting to brainstorm for the future of the organization.

Registration & Travel

Registration for Listening to the Future is $50 ($35 for students and artists) and includes membership in the ASAE. All events, including both concerts, the ‘Citizen Sound’ symposium, the soundwalks and the workshop are free for ASAE members (current for 2010). Benefits of ASAE membership are provided on the ASAE website.

A registration page will be posted shortly, along with locations of all venues, maps, schedules etc.

All meals are pay-your-own, but we’ll be making advance reservations so will ask you to register. Transportation between venues, including the Dunes soundwalk, will be via public transit. These costs are not covered by the ASAE, but we will plan to meet and travel as a group to the Dunes soundwalk.

Hotels and travel resources, and any other additional information will be listed on the MSAE’s Listening for the Future web page: http://mwsae.org. Please bookmark and check back often, as we’ll be making frequent updates.

History

The Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology (MSAE), founded in 2009, is a chapter of the American Society for Acoustic Ecology (ASAE), the U.S. affiliate of the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology (WFAE), an international association of affiliated organizations and individuals, who share a common concern with the state of the world’s soundscapes. Our members represent a multi-disciplinary spectrum of individuals engaged in the study of the social, cultural and ecological aspects of the sonic environment. Learn more about the WFAE on its website: http://wfae.net

Listening for the Future Organizing Committee:

Eric Leonardson, Chair
Michelle Nagai
Andrea Polli

Assisted by:
Jamie Davis
Jesse Seay

Listening for the Future is organized by the American Society for Acoustic Ecology, and hosted by the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology and the World Listening Project. Sponsors include Vocalo.org (89.5 FM), The National Park Service and Columbia College.

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Eric Leonardson, founder
Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology (MSAE)
Email: info@mwsae.org
Web: http://mwsae.org
WLP web: http://www.worldlisteningproject.org
Skype: worldlistening
Mobile: 773-218-5796