Global Sonic Culture
Sound Arts Visiting Practitioner Lecture Series – 12th May – Joseph Kamaru
Currently studying sonic arts in Berlin, Joseph Kamaru aka KMRU is a Nairobi-born, Berlin- based sound artist whose work is grounded on the discourse of field recording, noise, and sound art. His work posits expanded listening cultures of sonic thoughts and sound practices, a proposition to consider and reflect on auditory cultures beyond the norms, and an awareness of surroundings through creative compositions, installations and performances.
OPEN SPACE VOLUME 2
It was a very cinematic work which called ‘in a distant’. I loved the echoes, ambience and reverbs which Kamaru was bringing in the atmosphere. Furthermore, I could hear a lot of sonic textures he was bringing into the space, like stars and space crafts in the space, decorating very comfortably and there were a variety of them.
What we hear may help us understand better who we are and where we come from», states the opening text in the film SOA by Raquel Castro. Indeed, there is no doubt that the discourse around sound and listening is becoming more critical both in art and academia. Today, more artists are investigating the topics of sound, noise, silence, and listening, and the relationship of sound to – and its effects on – our environment and ecosystems. The more we listen, the more we hear things, even the sounds that we do not usually pay attention to. We are constantly listening and responding to the sounds and vibrations of our natural worlds, and our bodies are constantly being exposed to sounds.
I can feel a very natural way of listening when listening to his artwork, though he used a lot of sounds from classical orchestra in virtual instruments like strings and bells. The atmosphere from church was well demonstrated and the sound was also very ambient which let me immerse in it. When I am thinking of my own work, maybe volcas can demonstrate sounds in the same way and sometimes losing beats and get sounds more naturally by improvisation would be an interesting idea.