Our days are perpetually scored by noise. This reality is one we are so accustomed to, we only take notice of the ubiquity of sound when it becomes ear-splitting or so negligible that we are forced to hear every solitary note, such as the metronome-like drip of a leaky tap.

The purpose of Buzz, Crackle and Hush, Cinematheque’s May 29 showcase of audio art and contemporary experimental film and video, is to draw attention to sound.

The show aims to illustrate the importance of the artistry of sound, a facet of the senses which is often neglected in favour of the readily comprehensible visual image.

The films to be shown include the rarely screened and influential Blue by Derek Jarman, who was nearly blind and dying as the film was being completed. The films have been chosen by David Barber, program co-ordinator at Cinematheque, who made his selections based on each film’s attention to sound, and their focus on sound as the “creative underpinning.”

Barber hopes to bring attention to the burgeoning collaborations between ambient sound artists and film artists within Manitoba.

“This kind of collaboration is ongoing, with many artists committed to working independent of commercial means, who want to surround themselves with those who have similar values,” he said. “People from other cities are in awe of the originality of the work coming out of Winnipeg. It may be due in part to the lack of media influences here, along with our long periods of isolation, which forces people to go into their imaginations.”

Winnipeg-based sound artist Ken Gregory, who has worked with audio, video and copious varieties of multi-media design and machinery for over 15 years, remarks on the physiological ramifications of sound.

“Sound works in a more visceral way [than that which is visual], because our body absorbs it…it can be used to create tension, claustrophobia…”

In conjunction with Buzz, Gregory is holding a two-day audio listening workshop with the Winnipeg Film Group called Boomschplatt!!!

Running May 23 and 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gregory will take a small group of students through the creative process of fine tuning their listening skills, eventually creating a sound project which will premiere at Buzz and will be inspired by Blue.

Gregory’s interest in sound began when he picked up a guitar at age 10. He can trace the sociocultural role of sound art as it has functioned throughout history, and sees sound as both a means of communication and a subtle form of manipulation.

“Historically, many places have been designed to enhance sonic space… to make people sound louder, [more authoritative] like in the amphitheatres of Greece. Blocking out sound is also used to create a certain kind of space, such as the meditation gardens in Japan, where water is used to mimic architectural structures.”

As for what he hopes people will take away from Buzz, Gregory views it in part as a means to “fine tune listening skills for a little while, even if it leads to anger and frustration.”

Published in Volume 63, Number 27 of The Uniter (May 20, 2009)