Synesthesia and Cymatics

The visualization of sound, through cymatics, animation and other technologies, shows to me our obsession with the visual sense. While cymatics may certainly be helpful as a tool to explore sound on a more experiential level, they will always be a hollow representation of the true auditory sense. 

To put an image to sound is to feed our fundamental urge for visual stimulus. The moment an image is associated with a sound, the sound's artistic purity is corrupted by the human mind. 

The same goes for an image. In my exploration of the absolute film movement for my filmmaker presentation I have found that the inherent power of the visuals in Symphonie Diagonale are instantly lessened when paired with a soundtrack of any type. 

This is not to say that cymatics are not interesting themselves; they are most certainly a captivating representation of sound through visuals. Cymatics have the power to give the viewer a new perspective on the idea of sound. To see sound not simply as a perception but as a complex universal force. Sound is not only what we hear, its effects resonate (pun intended) throughout our understanding, Scientific and Spiritual, of the universe.

But it is important to keep in mind that cymatics are but another way for our bodies and minds to perceive the essence of sound. They are no less valid a perception than hearing but they are also no closer to a true understanding of sound itself.