Author: Zixi Wen
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Final Outcome and Reflection
The final project title shown in the video is Pearls Against the Wall. Although the project was first discussed through pearls and clams as metaphors, the final title clarified the work’s relationship with pressure, containment and resistance. The final outcome became a projection animation shown in the CSM theatre space. I documented the final work…
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Sound as Structure
After sending my first audio demo, I realised that the sound was not only functioning as support for the animation. The group’s final animation seemed to develop around the pacing, atmosphere and emotional rhythm of my audio. This changed how I understood my role in the collaboration. At first, I expected to create sound in…
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Reflection and Future Development
This project changed the way I think about sound recording and listening. Before starting, I mainly focused on collecting interesting sounds or textures. During the process, I became more interested in how recordings can shape spatial awareness and how listening changes depending on movement, architecture and environmental conditions. One important thing I learned was the…
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First Demo and Feedback
After creating the first sound version, I sent a 1:32 demo to the group. I explained that everything was still flexible, including sound effects, timing and placement. This was important because I wanted the demo to open up conversation rather than present a fixed final soundtrack. Cindy responded that the main elements were included and…
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Editing and Sequencing
After gathering the recordings, I started building the structure of the piece in Ableton. I originally imagined using many different locations, but during editing I realised the work became too fragmented. There were too many changes in atmosphere and it started to feel closer to a collection of recordings than a coherent listening experience. Because…
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Pearl and Clam Textures
Pearl and clam sounds were more difficult than ocean sounds because they do not have a clear natural sound identity. Instead of trying to make a realistic pearl sound, I treated pearls and clams as symbolic materials. They suggested fragility, protection, enclosure and hidden emotional pressure. The group asked for pearl and ocean sound effects,…
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Ocean Tests
The ocean was one of the first sound materials I tested. I used real ocean recordings because I wanted to keep a physical connection to water and space. The real wave sample immediately created atmosphere and connected clearly to the Ophelia and sea references in the project. However, I did not want the ocean to…
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Field Recording Process
The recording process became an important part of the project because it changed how I paid attention to everyday environments. I recorded sounds in a private room, a university corridor and an underpass. Even though these are ordinary locations, I noticed that each environment had its own rhythm, texture and acoustic behaviour. In the private…
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Story and Atmosphere
Through the group conversation, I understood that Pearls Against the Wall was not completely based on a clear linear story. Cindy explained that atmosphere was more important, and that the music and sound needed to follow the emotional direction of the piece. This was important because it changed my role from simply adding sound effects…
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Research and Context
While developing the project, I started looking more closely at theories around listening and spatial perception. One text that became important for me was Acoustic Territories by Brandon LaBelle. In the introduction, LaBelle discusses how sound shapes the way people move through and experience environments. This helped me think about space not as a fixed…