I thought that I was ready to wrap up this project (again). Especially as I'm currently submerging myself in my MA dissertation/final major project. However, I now need to work on a proposal/publication extract for one of the books triggered by the conference. I am daunted by this - as it will be my first attempt at being published academically - but I'll give it a go. I just need to untangle the theory that underpinned my practice so that it might work as a clear and concise chapter within a volume concerned with the politics and perceptions of noise.
I have to include:
A 400 word proposal detailing the issues that the chapter will address and how it will be organised
A few academic references and 5-6 keywords
A 200 word biographical note
In fact, it's not that dissimiliar to what was submitted in answer to the conference's call for submissions although that was actually a very vague outline. It's essential that I now can pick out what is the philosophical stance I've come away with after going through this process. The final chapter will be around 5,000 words but won't need to be submitted until the end of the year.
Additionally, I expressed interest in assisting with any design aspects for the completed books should that be required. I feel that having a hand in the production of the volumes would be a fitting end to this project.
I submitted my abstract in response to the call for participants to the organisers of the Bigger Than Words conference today. I've attached the design for the cover.
While initially very similar, the key difference between this and what I'd already sent to Lawrence and Tash was that I didn't really mention anything about book design this time: I thought that the notes on aesthetics and additional design influences were perhaps less important within the context of the conference.
What I did emphasise was the importance of classification to this study and also referenced the relevance of both Wassily Kandinsky and John Cage to the subject of visualising sound. I'd also read up a little on Spectrograms so these got a mention too.
All this is proving helpful. I've decided to get the first part of the report finished early for this semester and this reworking of my proposal in its various forms is assisting in the devising of the report's chapters. This week I want to get the 'Contents' close to finalised so that I can start the subject research in earnest.
I've now submitted my proposal to Tash for her feedback. Lawrence was receptive to the project and suggested a couple of other ideas based around libraries that I might want to explore.
The next stage, proposal-wise, is to complete my abstract and biographical note for the 'noise' conference.
By the way, I used the featured image as a cover for the revised proposal. It's the first time that I've utilised the much referenced Marber grid and, while I like the effect, I hope this means that I've got it out of my system and will avoid any pastiche-y final outcomes.
I had to submit a draft proposal for my Negotiated Project to Lawrence today. For the cover, I used the same old image I originally had on this blog. I'd also done a variation for my submission proposal for the Bigger than Words conference. Although I have a couple of weeks to get the abstract together for that and I've since decided on a different design approach.
Anyway, aside from mere eye candy, here's the brief overview I emailed:
For semester two’s Negotiated Project I aim to produce a study that will also serve as a contribution to the Bigger than Words, Wider than Pictures: Noise, Affect, Politics conference.
Organised by the Centre for Communication, Cultural and Media Studies at the University of Salford, this is set to take place 1-3 July 2010. The conference is a diverse project based around the concept of noise.
In terms of my own participation, I wish to create a body of visual work that both explores and explains the noise that occurs in libraries. This is prompted by an observation that the difference between what is described as ‘noise’ and what is described as ‘sound’ can relate to the environment where it exists. Libraries are historically observed as places where silence is encouraged. Therefore sounds within these spaces are viewed as obtrusive and therefore more likely to be quantified as ‘noise’.
Following on from a semester one project that discussed visual representations of ‘invisible’ entities, this research and practical work would investigate pictorial descriptions of sound, noise and music. It is provisionally titled “Sshhh!”
Initial research suggests that such topics as sound installation/art, sonic cartography, cymatics, synaesthesia and onomatopoeia may be intrinsic to the research. It would also be an undertaking concerned with typology – with the study using audio recordings and photography to document a number of related yet individual spaces.
Representing a further personal interest [and what may be identified as some of the key elements of design found within libraries], this project will additionally delve into classic book covers/layout for inspiration. It is suggested that this assignment may also allow for experimentation with two colour printing.
It would aid the cataloguing of the process in its entirety for later reflection.
It would mirror the way that information is made available for (free) public consumption by libraries.
It is a direct response to Paul Arden’s suggestion that we should not hoard ideas but instead share them in order to replenish and develop new ideas.
A 400 word abstract and biographical note needs to be submitted to the organisers of the aforementioned conference by 28 February 2010. It is initially recommended that the volunteered outcomes should include a book, brochure or other print product alongside further elements that could be conceptual or more commercially focussed.
