Mehdi Behbudi/Simple Reception

Mehdi Behbudi/ Simple Reception

In the sound installation Simple Reception, Mehdi Behbudi creates an auditory and spatial experience that inherently reflects on the nature of sound, the presence of objects, and the role of the audience. This work, composed of 12 tables, each containing 29 cups and sound vessels, forms a dynamic sonic field that simultaneously embodies order and disorder. With meticulous attention, Behbudi focuses on the imperceptible aspects of sound - those ever-present yet overlooked auditory elements. Referencing the popular belief that one can hear the sea inside a seashell, he seeks to detach the concept of sound from conventional frameworks, allowing the audience to explore its hidden dimensions. Here, the glasses act as resonators, amplifying and altering sounds invisibly as they interact with the movement of a mechanical arm.

From a stylistic perspective, this work can be seen as a form of orchestration of everyday objects. The glasses, which silently contain latent sound, are activated through the artist's intervention and the movement of the mechanical arm. The precise arrangement and uniform positioning of the rims of the vessels create a visual cohesion that, through sonic fluctuations, transforms a static setting into a lively space. The interaction within this piece is indirect and passive - the audience does not engage directly with the auditory elements, yet their presence influences the experience. Just as clothing and the human body serve as sound insulators, changes in the density of the audience’s presence can alter the acoustic structure of the work. In this way, human presence becomes an integral part of the sound process without necessarily being an active force.

Simple Reception aligns with contemporary sound art movements, where sound is not merely an auditory tool but also a tangible material subject to manipulation and exploration. This piece, employing principles of acoustics, form, and the function of objects, extends beyond mere listening to an inquiry into the nature of sound, space, and human presence. While it falls within the realm of experimental music, it simultaneously engages in direct dialogue with the philosophy of objects and environments. Behbudi demonstrates how everyday items carry latent sonic meanings and hidden connections that can only be revealed through artistic intervention. Emphasizing sound’s nature as an invisible yet pervasive phenomenon, this work shifts the audience from passive listening to a deeper confrontation with the concealed aspects of sound.


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