Response to The Art of Noises and John Cage Questions

The Art of Noises

1. How do you think Russolo would feel in a world without simultaneous sound? Explain your answer based upon what you have learned about Russolo’s philosophies of sound from this article.

Russolo would probably be happy in a world with simultaneous sound, but then again he would probably argue that we're already living in a world with simultaneous sound. There is a difference between sound and noise though and I think Russolo might be even happier in a world with simultanesous noise being as he described the sounds of war as an "orchestra" of noise, then again if there were simultaneous noise I guess it would eventually lose it's effect and uniqueness.

2. Does Russolo value “noise”? Do you value it? Why or why not?

Yes he does, I guess I do sometimes but not nearly to the extent that Russolo does, I guess I do just because there are some noises that just have a sort of nostalgic quality that I appreciate.

3. What is the role of noise in the media you enjoy? (games; films; radio; news; music)

Well... noise, especially ambient noise, in films and video games gives the media a greater sense of realism that you just couldn't get without it. As far as radio, news & music I don't really think noise plays that large a role, radio stations and music occasionally use sound effects but I wouldn't say the noises are essential and news is more dependent on the information that is being provided not the noises.

4. What do Cage and Russolo have in common?

Both Cage and Russolo clearly have a strong appretiation for sounds and/or noises, Cage seemed to have a more active role in contributing to the art of noise, but Russolo was most likely a great influence and motivator for musicians like Cage.

John Cage

1. Can you imagine a current day performance that would attune people to their surroundings with a similar effect?

The only thing I can think of is concerts in different locations or a CD that just records the ambient sounds of different locations like city streets, a shopping mall, the highway, etc.

2. Do you think John Cage ripped off his audience, or provided them with something profound? Or do you have a different opinion entirely?

I think it depends, if he charged a large ammount of money for tickets then I would probably say he ripped them off, but I guess he ripped them off and provided them with something profound at the same time.

3. Explain your answer to question 2.

Cage may have provided his audience with something profound but the fact that he litterally did nothing and pretty much had the audience do all the work doesn't seem like something that he should be paid for. It would also be very easy to misunderstand the whole point of the performance without some sort of explaination and from what I've hearned he didn't provide that after the performance.