A Brief Consideration About the Relationship Between Sound Art and Tactile Sense

Abstract

In this chapter, in order to contribute to the aesthetics of tactile sense, I consider the relationship between sound art and tactile sense. First, I provide a historical perspective on sound art. I propose three periodical divides and six categories of sound art. Next, based on that historical perspective, I consider the function of tactile sense in this area. As my historical perspectives depend heavily upon the concept of the reduction of every art form into its own medium which was explored by Clement Greenberg, I conclude that there is not a large space for tactile sense in the history of sound art (tactile sense does not appear dominant there). After mentioning this position of tactile sense, I propose two ways of utilizing tactile sense in sound art works: as a metaphor and as an alternative means to listen to sound.