Synaesthetic Overdrive
Inner Sound April 12, 2018 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190671181.003.0007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that audio-visual media have progressively improved at representing altered states of consciousness, with digital effects enabling more accurate portrayals in recent films, while 'expanded cinema' forms such as visual music, psychedelic light shows, and VJ performances offer increasingly sophisticated synaesthetic experiences designed to transform audience consciousness. |
Abstract
Abstract: This chapter discusses altered states of consciousness in audio-visual media, such as films, psychedelic light shows, and VJ performances. First, some background theory is introduced, explaining the main categories of film sound, and what research tells us regarding the way in which sound influences the perception of visual images and vice versa. Following this background section, a tour is provided through various films that represent altered states of consciousness, including surrealist movies, ‘trance films’, and Hollywood feature films. These demonstrate a progression, where more recent movies are able to make use of digital audio and visual effects to represent the subjective experience of altered states with improved accuracy. Meanwhile, beyond the traditional confines of the cinema, ‘expanded cinema’ works such as visual music, psychedelic light shows, and VJ performances have provided increasingly sophisticated synaesthetic experiences, which are designed to transform the consciousness of their audience.