今回は、「静けさをデザインする──アートと音の関係」についてお話しします。
現代の都市空間で、**“音の公害”**という言葉を耳にしたことはありますか？
車や建設現場の騒音、カフェやオフィスでのざわめき、エアコンの低いうなり声…。
こうした“音”は、目には見えませんが、私たちの集中力や感情、そして身体のリズムに影響を与えています。
今回のテーマが、空間づくりに関わる方や、アートの新しい可能性を探している方にとって、ヒントになれば嬉しいです。
[English script]
Hello, I'm HIROMI KIM. In this program, we bring you stories about art, materials, and space from the perspective of design and culture.
This time, we'll talk about "Designing Silence - The Relationship between Art and Sound."
Have you ever heard the term "sound pollution" in modern urban spaces? The noise of cars and construction sites, the chatter of cafes and offices, the low hum of air conditioners... These "sounds" are invisible to the eye, but they affect our concentration, emotions, and the rhythm of our bodies.
Some of the art pieces I create incorporate materials with sound-absorbing and soundproofing properties. I design them to soften the reverberation of the space by layering sound-absorbing materials inside a three-dimensionally constructed fabric.
Sound has the property of bouncing off when it hits a hard material. In a space made of concrete or stone, sound bounces off, making it difficult to hear people talking.
Have you ever seen radio studios or music recording studios that are filled with sound-absorbing materials? This is designed to reduce sound reflections and allow only voices and sounds to be recorded.
Recently, I often see sound-absorbing materials being used in YouTube recording rooms.
In everyday life, when watching movies at high volume, in crowded places, or in places with many children, sound often echoes back and forth.
In fact, this is not just about sound noise, but also an attempt to explore the gap between beauty and functionality in our daily lives.
"Silence" is not simply the "absence of sound." Rather, it is the richness that lies in the margins and "spaces." For example, the silence that flows in a teahouse. Or the feeling of a change in the air the moment you enter a shrine. I feel that in such spaces, "silence" has the power to organize the "space."
I mainly use hemp as a material to create my works. This material is not only strong and light as a fiber, but also has a breathable texture that softly absorbs sound.
The sound of people's voices and footsteps is absorbed, and the sound gradually becomes softer... Such subtle changes can reduce stress in daily life and calm your mood.
These works are not just something to look at. They can be said to be art that changes the way you hear and feel.
In particular, when using art in architectural spaces, I always imagine, "What kind of sounds are flowing in this space?" The reverberation of sound, the height of the ceiling, the interaction of materials. Art pieces are not just decorations, but tools that change the texture of the space.
In the past, in Japan, "listening to sounds" was deeply connected to spirituality. For example, the custom of listening to the sound of wind chimes and the chirps of insects. Or the sense of enjoying the "silence" in Noh and tea ceremonies. All of these were cultures that connected sound and the heart.
I think my works are an extension of that. I believe that in the future of spatial design, not only "visible decoration" but also "silence felt by the ears" will become an important element.
What art can do for "sound" is to create a quiet environment. And, I believe, to create a space that resets the senses.
What did you think?
I hope this episode will be helpful for those involved in spatial creation and those looking for new possibilities in art.
In the next episode, we will be covering the theme of "A sacred material in space - the meaning of hemp in Japanese culture."
Thank you for watching until the end today.
See you next time. This is HIROMI KIM.
2025/06/107 分