Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-22dnz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-29T06:54:37.324Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Depth Modulation: Composing motion in immersive audiovisual spaces

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2012

Ewa Trębacz*
Affiliation:
Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS), Box 353414, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3680, USA

Abstract

The field of electroacoustic music has witnessed years of extensive exploration of aural spatial perception and an abundance of spatialisation techniques. Today the growing ubiquity of visual 3D technologies gives artists a similar opportunity in the realm of visual music. With the use of stereoscopic video we now have the ability to compose individual depth cues independently. The process of continuous change of the perceived depth of the audiovisual space over time is being referred to as depth modulation, and can only be fully appreciated through motion.

What can be achieved through the separation and manipulation of visual and sonic spatial cues? What can we learn about the way we perceive space if the basic components building our understanding of the surrounding environment are artificially split and re-arranged?

Visual music appears to be a perfect field for such experimentation. Strata of visual and aural depth cues can be used to create audiovisual counterpoints in three-dimensional spaces. The choice of abstract imagery and the lack of obvious narrative storylines allow us to focus our perception on the evolution of the immersive audiovisual space itself. A new language of an immersive audiovisual medium should emerge as a delicate, ever-changing balance between all previously separated and altered components.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Gillam, B. 1995. The Perception of Spatial Layout from Static Optical Information. In W. Epstein and S.J. Rogers (eds) Perception of Space and Motion. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 2367.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Motte-Haber, H. de la. 2002. Esthetic Perception in New Artistic Contexts: Aspects – hypotheses – unfinished thoughts. In B. Schulz (ed.) Resonanzen/Resonances: Aspekte der Klangkunst/Aspects of Sound Art. Heidelberg: Kehrer Verlag, 2937.Google Scholar
Solso, R.L. 1994. Cognition and the Visual Arts. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.Google Scholar