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What does modernity* sound like?
*Modernity in this context is defined as the combination of extractive capitalism, overconsumption, endless growth, systemic racism, white supremacy, separation from nature, etc.
What does modernity feel like?
How do these sounds & feelings affect us?
What can we do about it?
The first 3 seasons (2020-2022) of conscient presented 100 conversations and/or soundscape compositions in English or French about art and the ecological crisis.
Season 4 of conscient (1 January – 31 December 2023) explores what modernity sounds like, how it affects us and how to ‘create the conditions for other possible worlds to emerge in the wake of what is dying’ as suggested in Preparing for the end of the world as we know it by the Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures collective.
Now what do I mean by modernity ? Which modernity? I don’t mean modernist art or modernism as a style, though I guess it can be a part of it. I mean the modern era, based on extractive capitalism, endless growth, overconsumption, systemic racism, white supremacy, separation from nature, and so on. I also want to investigate various interpretations of ‘modernity’ : our so-called modern life styles, structures, sites, beings, creatures, habits, etc and I want to do this by Sounding Modernity.
In other words, I want to address some of the causes of this massive and violent overreach of planetary boundaries but also I also want to explore how we can preserve some of modernity’s benefits, without the destruction.
And I invite you to join me on my ongoing learning/unlearning journey.
At the end of each 5 minute episode you’ll be asked to ponder a question or to think about a complex issue as a living entity. If you feel comfortable, you can respond on conscient.ca to what you experienced in listening to the episode and/or to the question in any way you wish : with words, images, sounds, video, etc .
My intention is to create a dialogue for shared learning and unlearning. I promise to do my best to respond to every submission and, with the permission of the rights holders, to publish some of the responses I receive in the conscient newsletter.
Let’s see how it goes.
New episodes will be available every Sunday, from January 1 through December 31, 2023, in English and in French.
You’ll find links to the weekly conscient newsletter, conscient podcast in English, au balado conscient en francais, to the conscient YouTube channel and to the conscient podcast Facebook and instagram pages on the Subscribe page of this website.
I believe that word of mouth is the best way to disseminate this work. If you like what you hear, and you think others might benefit from it, please share it.
I would like to thank all my collaborators and supporters, notably the Canada Council for the Arts for the Strategic Innovation Fund ‘Seed’ grant that made this project possible as a resource for the arts sector.
I am grateful for this privilege to think and sound out.
Claude
