Seeing, Hearing, Feeling: Sound and the Despotism of the Eye in "Visual" Anthropology

Sound that is neither verbal nor musical not only adds a rich experiential dimension to the communication of the way of life that is typically the subject of an ethnographic film but also “thickens” the implicit ethnographic description. In the most imaginative hands, it can even be used to make int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Visual anthropology review 2007-03, Vol.23 (1), p.54-63
Main Author: HENLEY, PAUL
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
observational cinema
Robert Gardner
soundscapes
Steven Feld
synchronous sound
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Summary:Sound that is neither verbal nor musical not only adds a rich experiential dimension to the communication of the way of life that is typically the subject of an ethnographic film but also “thickens” the implicit ethnographic description. In the most imaginative hands, it can even be used to make interpretative comments on the reality portrayed. This article proposes that “visual” anthropologists reach beyond the limitations implicit even in the name of their sub‐discipline, and follow the lead of feature film sound designers by using sound more creatively and effectively in their filmmaking.
ISSN:1058-7187
1548-7458
DOI:10.1525/var.2007.23.1.54