Music for Cochlea

From 1999-2000, I worked on this series of short audio files, intended to blur the distinction between body, environment, and the artwork. Some sounds were designed to replicate sounds in the ear, while other sounds were intended to produce effects such as a response from the ear or an actual physical sensation with headphone listening.

In the midst of "lowercase" and "microsound" movements, I often found myself distracted while listening to extremely quiet music. I would begin to focus on the sounds of my body such as ears ringing, teeth clicking, jaw popping, or even the bass that seems to eminate somewhere between the jaw and ear while yawning. Additionally, whirs of nearby cars, the hum of refrigerator motors, computer fans, and neighbors' activities would interfere with the work I was attempting to listen to.

Available now for download is a ZIP file of MP3s from the project, intended to be played in "shuffle mode" on your MP3 or CD player:
Music for Cochlea (MP3 archive, zipped)