Oral Presentations and Performances: Session III

Sound of Us

Author Information

Shawn BouffardFollow

Project Type

Performance

Faculty Mentor’s Full Name

Hannah Knipp

Faculty Mentor’s Department

School of Social Work

Abstract / Artist's Statement

My artistic practice explores sound as a tool for embodiment, grounding, and healing. In a world that prioritizes verbal expression, I investigate how sound can help individuals reconnect with their bodies and emotions. Many struggle to express themselves through language due to trauma, neurodivergence, or personal preference. My work examines how sound-based interventions can offer an inclusive, accessible way to process emotions and foster connection. Through immersive soundscapes and interactive experiences, I create spaces for sensory engagement and self-understanding. Sound bypasses words; it resonates physically as vibration and rhythm, encouraging deep listening and presence. This aligns with my social work studies, where I explore nonverbal therapeutic methods. As part of this project, I am developing an interactive website where people can share 10–30 second recordings of sounds that bring them joy, peace, or safety. These recordings will be featured in a physical installation, where participants can listen through headphones and experience a direct connection to strangers’ soundscapes. This installation will require approximately three square feet of wall space for interaction. By bridging art and social work, I highlight sound’s therapeutic potential in mental health and community care. Through deep listening—both externally and internally—we can cultivate self-awareness, regulate emotions, and strengthen communal bonds. This project aims to humanize those around us by sharing personal soundscapes, fostering connection beyond words.

NOTE: Attendees are invited to experience the installation anytime between 3:30-5pm.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 25th, 3:30 PM Apr 25th, 5:00 PM

Sound of Us

UC third floor meeting room foyer

My artistic practice explores sound as a tool for embodiment, grounding, and healing. In a world that prioritizes verbal expression, I investigate how sound can help individuals reconnect with their bodies and emotions. Many struggle to express themselves through language due to trauma, neurodivergence, or personal preference. My work examines how sound-based interventions can offer an inclusive, accessible way to process emotions and foster connection. Through immersive soundscapes and interactive experiences, I create spaces for sensory engagement and self-understanding. Sound bypasses words; it resonates physically as vibration and rhythm, encouraging deep listening and presence. This aligns with my social work studies, where I explore nonverbal therapeutic methods. As part of this project, I am developing an interactive website where people can share 10–30 second recordings of sounds that bring them joy, peace, or safety. These recordings will be featured in a physical installation, where participants can listen through headphones and experience a direct connection to strangers’ soundscapes. This installation will require approximately three square feet of wall space for interaction. By bridging art and social work, I highlight sound’s therapeutic potential in mental health and community care. Through deep listening—both externally and internally—we can cultivate self-awareness, regulate emotions, and strengthen communal bonds. This project aims to humanize those around us by sharing personal soundscapes, fostering connection beyond words.

NOTE: Attendees are invited to experience the installation anytime between 3:30-5pm.