Hidden Harmonies: The Psychoactive Role of Audio-Visual Arts in Traditional Expressions

Abstract

In search of uniqueness and more possibilities in visual representation, some visual artists have created acoustic art pieces that are conceptually charged with meaning. Some of the art pieces are cultural expressions in the sculpture and installation genre. Such art works are not only conceptually representational but, through their physical presence, accentuate aesthetics in their surroundings and produce audio tones that temper sound waves in the natural environment. A lot of artistic exercises with its concomitant art products have been channeled towards this direction but with little scholarly attention. This paper, therefore, discusses efforts of some Nigerian and foreign artists in this regard. It employs the qualitative methods to collect data and analyse sample artworks that are culturally representative and produce sound harmony. Specifically, the research methods for collecting data involved observation, visual documentation, and a review of literature. The descriptive and narrative approaches were then used for data analysis. The aesthetic qualities of such works are also shown as part of the discourse to further reveal the relationship between traditional expressions in visual arts and the science of sound. Ultimately, the study adds to the discourses on the critical appraisal and analysis of audio-visual art in traditional expressions and their psycho effects on the environment.