Listener Becomes Performer: Paul Cousins‘ “Atomised Listening” Installation redefines Musical Interaction
london, UK – In a groundbreaking fusion of sound art and audience participation, composer and sound artist Paul Cousins has unveiled “Atomised Listening,” an innovative multi-channel installation that transforms listeners into active performers. This immersive experience, rooted in the philosophical concept of music as disconnected moments, utilizes vintage reel-to-reel tape machines to create a dynamic and evolving sonic landscape.
Cousins, known for his distinctive electronic productions shaped by the limitations of analog technology, explained his vision for “Atomised Listening” to Fact Magazine. “The idea is of music being seemingly disconnected moments rather than a unified composition, a concept by Theodor Adorno,” he stated. “Using tape machines, I wanted to create a multi-channel, asynchronous work along these lines that is participatory. With this installation, the tape loops are the ‘atoms’ and the listener becomes the performer, actively engaging in the experience.”
The installation, recorded at The Cause in London, features five Akai reel-to-reel machines from the 1960s and ’70s, a Roland Space Echo RE-201, and a TEAC M-30 mixing desk. Cousins emphasized the deliberate choice of these vintage tools, highlighting the unique character and inherent imperfections of 1/4″ tape. “It’s inspiring to hear a recording format’s influence on a composition, and I enjoy leaning into the limitations of tape rather than searching for subjective perfection,” he commented. The process of sourcing and servicing the ten tape machines required for the installation was described as a significant undertaking.
“Atomised listening” challenges conventional notions of musical consumption by repurposing the original function of the tape machine. Each interaction with the mixing desk by a listener alters the composition, with the sonic tapestry evolving until the next user engages with the work.This creates a unique, ever-changing performance where the audience directly influences the artistic output.
Paul Cousins, who previously contributed to Fact Magazine’s Patch Notes series in 2020, continues to explore the intersection of technology, art, and audience engagement. His debut album, Vanishing Artefacts, is available on Bandcamp, and he can be followed on Instagram for further updates on his work.
This innovative approach to sound installation not only celebrates the tactile and sonic qualities of obsolete technology but also fosters a deeper, more active connection between the audience and the art itself, proving that in the world of sound, the listener can indeed become the performer.
