DISCUSSION: Vibrational Warfare

During occupations, sieges and wars, cities tremble from the sounds and vibrations used as weapons. During this event, Gascia Ouzounian, Steve Goodman (Kode9) and Mohamed Choucair will consider how sound violence shapes urban life and how artists and researchers can respond to it. Gascia Ouzounian, author of “Stereophonica” and soon-to-be-released “The Trembling City,” explores cities vibrating from war and occupation, the incessant noise of drones over the Gaza Strip, and the restless skies over Beirut. It does not focus only on thunder and sound cannons — it also listens to less audible forms of violence: agitated air, reverberation and sonic erasure. Drawing on “Sonic Warfare” and “Notes on the Third Ear,” Steve Goodman will map the emerging sound regime, shaped by atmospheric terrorism and the increasing range of machine listening. They will be joined by Lebanese sound artist Mohamed Choucair with an audiovisual presentation of his UAI, or “unmanned aerial instrument”, using the incessant buzz of Israeli surveillance drones over Beirut. Together, the three will consider how cities, bodies and machines are drawn into vibrational warfare. Individual presentations will be followed by a short discussion and Q&A.