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ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to understand the phenomenology of moments of transition between sonic environments in the urban context and conceptualize the role they play in the attunement of the body to urban spaces. It has been argued that transitions between different environments tend to be moments when sonic perception and feedback are enhanced and, as moments of interruption, they play a significant role in how we attune to urban places. Our study contributes to a greater understanding of these moments. We present the concept of sonic first impression to address the affective nuances of these moments, and the concept of sonic attunement to address how individuals tune in to urban places through sound. In order to explore how these concepts apply in practice, we have undertaken a participatory methodology with 12 volunteers, which included sound diaries and go-alongs. These methods allowed us to gather in-depth data about spatial and temporal transitions and issues related to the angle of arrival of the body. Our results unveil the role that sound plays in attunement to place, a role that encompasses both meaning and affect, active and passive hearing, consciousness and unconsciousness, mind and body, psychology and physiology.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. This concept is not to be confused with the angle of arrival measurement which is used to determine the direction of propagation of radio-frequency waves.
2. Oscar used the Portuguese verb ‘ambientar-se’, which comes from the word ‘ambiente’ that can be translated as ‘environment’ or ‘ambience’. ‘Ambientar-se’ could be roughly translated as ‘to become one with the environment’.