Project Advisor: Fish McGill, Fred Wolflink
Writing Advisor: Joe Quackenbush
Creative Mentor: Sara Brown, Joshua Higgason, Hiroshi Ishii
As a child, I learned to play the piano and flute, while also exploring a variety of visual art materials. I visited an artist’s studio where I was introduced to drawing and painting using a wide range of traditional techniques. Mornings were with music as my dad would play melodies that filled the room as I woke up. I began experiencing synesthesia which is a neurological phenomenon where the activation of one sensory pathway involuntarily triggers another. The daily presence of music and the exposure to visual arts help me understand the synesthesia in auditory and visual perceptions that influence my creative process. I focus on sound-color synesthesia, meaning sounds are perceived as colors.
Sound-color synesthesia is a type of synesthesia that occurs when people concurrently associate sounds with the perception of particular colors or visual experiences. A person who has sound-color synesthesia may experience vibrant colors, shapes, or textures when they hear sounds, such as music, conversation, or noises. Visual experiences can range from person to person subjectively. While some people associate colors simply, others may perceive colors in response to certain sounds.
The purpose of my thesis is to explore the relationship between sound and color in the context of synesthesia as a communication tool. It is to create a vibrant experience for the users to understand the phenomenon of synesthesia through immersive installations, tangible interfaces, and interactive displays.