The Creation and Projection of Space-Source in Electroacoustic Music

This paper develops the notion of space-source in electroacoustic music. Space-source is one of the four spatial categories, drawn from the theoretical work of Annette Vande Gorne (the other spatial categories are spaceambiophony, space-geometry and space-illusion). It demonstrates the methods by which space-source can be integrated into the compositional process and in the projection of electroacoustic music in performance. It examines different ways with which space-source is perceived and deciphered. The influential role of the loudspeaker installation for the projection of space-source is also a preoccupation in this paper. The art of projection plays a decisive role in the perception of electroacoustic music and the space-source in particular. The way we compose and hear electroacoustic music is defined by a loudspeaker-based approach. Individual or pairs of loudspeakers project sonic images, which are influenced by the acoustic properties of the listening space and the projection decisions made by the performer. Five spatial figures (Accentuation, Glittering, Unmasking, Insertion/rupture, Appearance/disappearance) are introduced as potential templates for the projection of space-source.