Experimental Listening: “Pillowsongs” by George Khut

We’ve all heard of experimental music, but what is experimental listening? George Khut, a Sydney based artist specializing in “body-focused interactive art systems” (e.g. biofeedback systems) is the creator of “Pillowsongs,” an installation exploring sleep and rest as a space for listening. A large collection of music and audio recordings were mixed semi-randomly to create some very odd and dream-like “sound textures” which were then played…. out of sound-producing pillows!

Listen to one of the less creepy Pillowsongs remixes here:

The slowly reconfiguring sound textures, dark lighting, and restful means by which the audiences engage with the work, engage listeners in a highly intimate, and hypnotic hypnogogic listening experience. Falling asleep can be an appropriate way of interacting with this work, given our ability to perceive sounds whilst in certain stages of sleep.

George Khut is also the creator of a breathing-rate/heart-rhythm musical instrument and visual system, Cardiomorphologies v.2, which “enable participants to experience, interpret and reflect on aspects of their own body-mind processes and felt experience, through the use of dynamic multimedia environments incorporating electronic sound and light projection.” Here is a video about Cardiomorphologies v.2.

Source: Pillowsongs by George Khut