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The study of the voice has led me beyond the purpose of transferring messages between one another to investigate the fundamental connection that is generated from interaction. The Masters investigation has led me back to my childhood roots, to nature, to investigate various forms of communication amongst other species such as birds, mammals and trees finding a new appreciation in how they are connected by their interaction. I have uncovered the mechanisms some songbirds use to produce complicated song, their innate ability for intent listening and copying, the deep frequency whale calls that are the loudest sounds on the planet and the signals from 'Mother Trees' to protect their seedlings and the network within the forest. I have learnt throughout to examine my work objectively rather than relying on subjectivity.

 

In addition to the case studies and books researched I have drawn upon the art exhibitions which influenced the work in the final installation of the thesis. Es Devlin’s work at The Museum of Modern Art and Lubaina Himid’s sound installation had a profound effect upon my previous ideas of art and opened my mind to the possibilities of an audience moving through a space whilst immersively experiencing the work.

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In the final installation Immersive theatrical techniques for instance the use of scenography, enabled an environment to be created in which the audience were transported to a natural world filled with the sounds of nature. This art and theatre installation was designed to create an experiential environment. The question was how to transition  between the artistic piece into a more interactive experience. The next stage of the installation was to take the audience through a transitional forest walkway with the intention of allowing the natural sounds, scents and a continuing narrative to lull the audience into a more tranquil space.

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The installation design began with a dramatised version of our own environment, via a busy soundscape and a Robot 'Ameca' her voice scripted via Garageband with vocal manipulation. Ameca, (presently a real robot developed with AI technology) delivered a specific narrative to describe the events transpiring to the current ‘Generation Z’. Generation Z is a term used to describe humans born between 1997 and 2020. The aim was to place the audience in the modern world, dramatising our current distractions, heightened by a concentrated soundscape.

 

Approximately 50-60 voice recordings were compiled before achieving the clarity of Ameca's message in amongst the host of other sounds, this process emphasised to me how difficult it can be to manipulate the voice technologically yet still communicate a clear message. The aim, by highlighting the distractions of our everyday lives, the advancements in technology was to create some confusion and stress how this can impact our focus. This was achieved visually by working with a website 'Storyblocks' to pull the visuals together. 

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A most interesting finding was that the installation highlighted the ability technology gives us to create awareness that we need to balance the pace and digital distractions we live in with other other environments for effective communication and learning.