Phonocene: Moving Toward the Rhythms of Naturecultures

The main aim of this article is to explore the relationships between the concept of the anthropocene and the derived notion of the phonocene, which has become a source of inspiration for many sound artists working in the field of sound ecology. I present an overview of the creative strategies that emerged in response to Vinciane Despret and Donna Haraway’s proclamation of the Phonocene. I review artistic practices situated within the phonocene paradigm and, based on this analysis, examine the concept of rhythm, one of the central elements of John Dewey’s philosophy of art. The premise of this study is that the rhythms found in ecological audio art correspond to the natural rhythms that govern both human life and the wider environment; consequently, engagement with ecological audio art offers a sense of integration and wholeness. Referring to Art as Experience, in which Dewey analyzes the formal characteristics of rhythm, I examine selected examples of ecological audio practices. Building on Dewey’s assumptions, I argue that, in ecological audio art, rhythm is the element that, through the interplay of formal forces, brings aesthetic experience to fulfillment.