Listening Space: a study on using transmission ecologies to visualize the invisible

This MA thesis explores the relationship between human experience, the interface theory of perception, and consciousness through the artistic project Listening Space. The project, conducted by Afroditi Psarra and Audrey Briot, involves intercepting and decoding NOAA weather satellite audiovisual transmissions using a DIY satellite tracking station and a weaving machine. This research employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from art history, neuroscience, philosophy, and physics, to investigate two dimensions of the human experience: the physical and the metaphysical. The first chapter focuses on the human physical experience, utilizing the reversed engineered methodology of Erwin Panofsky and iconographic analysis to explore the symbolic values and meaning of artworks. It examines the ecologies of Listening Space, such as human-centered computing, interface design prototyping, environmental sciences, information visualization, binaries, and weaving, in relation to Donald...Show moreThis MA thesis explores the relationship between human experience, the interface theory of perception, and consciousness through the artistic project Listening Space. The project, conducted by Afroditi Psarra and Audrey Briot, involves intercepting and decoding NOAA weather satellite audiovisual transmissions using a DIY satellite tracking station and a weaving machine. This research employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from art history, neuroscience, philosophy, and physics, to investigate two dimensions of the human experience: the physical and the metaphysical. The first chapter focuses on the human physical experience, utilizing the reversed engineered methodology of Erwin Panofsky and iconographic analysis to explore the symbolic values and meaning of artworks. It examines the ecologies of Listening Space, such as human-centered computing, interface design prototyping, environmental sciences, information visualization, binaries, and weaving, in relation to Donald Hoffman's interface theory of perception. This chapter tests the extent to which Listening Space illuminates the physical human experience against Hoffman's theory. The second chapter delves into the metaphysical human experience and its connection to idealistic philosophical theories by Wayne M. McDonnell, Itzhak Bentov, and Bernardo Kastrup. It explores consciousness, space-time, energy, vibration, frequency, and the limitations of Hoffman's theory. Through an analysis of Listening Space's ecologies, the chapter investigates how the project can shed light on the metaphysical human experience and its relationship with idealistic perspectives. The research findings reveal that Listening Space effectively merges technology and artistic exploration, transforming invisible transmissions into tangible representations. It serves as a platform to explore the metaphysical human experience, highlighting cosmic consciousness. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of art, specifically Listening Space, to provide deeper insights into the human experience and the realities beyond. The project's ecologies align with philosophical theories on consciousness and propose a way of metaphorically portraying the human brain as a fractal antenna. By intertwining theoretical concepts with Listening Space, this study tries to enrich our understanding of the physical and metaphysical dimensions of human existence and invites contemplation of universal consciousness.Show less

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Listening Space: a study on using transmission ecologies to visualize the invisible