Concept >> Perception
The movement between realistic and unrealistic sound presentation provides perceptual tension and progression in this time-based artwork. Observers within the installation experience a number of ambient sound elements gradually diverting from the real. Along this progression, the sound manipulation will move from being unnoticed to being sensed subconsciously and finally to being consciously perceived. At this point, the sound element ceases to be an ambient event and is instead received as a composed foreground event. (See Aesthetic Background for further information on perceptual tension.)
Although a wide range of emotions could be evoked by Welcome, the ability to portray sounds in a realistic manner and in an appropriate environment allow the installation to elicit certain emotional responses particularly well:
- Sense of discovery: Observers may be pleased to stumble upon an interesting sound occurring naturally in their environment. On realizing the nature of the work, the observer might treat the experience as a puzzle and seek these unnatural occurrences.
- Comfort: An observer may be comforted or become nostalgic upon being presented with familiar sound events. Alternatively, the abstract beauty of the sonic environment could be relaxing.
- Confusion: Perceiving a disturbance only subconsciously may provide a sense of confusion or discomfort not provided by an apparent unreality.
- Panic: Certain events portrayed in a entirely realistic fashion could cause panic in believing observers.