Rhythms and Resonances (Sounding Objects in the Middle Ages)

Any material object, if set in motion, may produce vibrations and, depending on their frequency, sounds perceptible to the human ear. The proposed framework of Sounding Objects encompasses not just instruments, artworks, and artifacts but also material and cognitive realms related to sound. Rhythm and resonance, as phenomena with a bearing on intersensory experience as well as intellectual reflection, become concepts through which to explore the physical-acoustic and metaphorical dimensions of such objects and spaces. Focusing on the Middle Ages, the contributions take a variety of approaches to the topic – from auditory imagination to performance via images, texts, bodies, and even silence. They incorporate multimedia content as a valuable opportunity for the emerging fields of Sound Studies and Object Studies in Art History.

• A new conceptual framework for “Sounding Objects”
• An innovative methodological approach at the intersection of Sound Studies, Object Studies, and Art History
• Diverse perspectives on sonic practices in the Middle Ages