This work is based on the idea of visualising sound, as a way of expressing emotions. Sound can have both stimulating and calming effects. For inspiration drew my interpretations of simple everyday sounds such as dripping water, the noises of scrunching and ripping paper and banging metal. From these visuals I developed my ideas into samples for installation pieces based on sound.
I thought about how people are affected by sound, particularly autistic children. Having experience working with autistic children I decided to produce something which would help them and give other people more understanding of their needs. Although people with autism are not physically disabled they encounter significant difficulties in everyday life. The main difficulties are in communication, social relationships, a lack of imagination and creative play. Children with the most severe forms of autism are catered for in special schools which put less emphasis on education and more on their wellbeing and skills that will help them cope through life.
These installation designs would be permanent, accessible to everybody and situated in a community. Although equipment such as sensory rooms are available for children in special schools there are none in mainstream schools. Also, in both kinds of schools I think there is a need for an understanding of special needs outside of school hours. The installations will be connected with workshops where participants will be encouraged to draw their own interpretations of sound and create own sculptural pieces that can be added to the installations. This means it can be a community exhibition which develops and changes by adding the childrens work that has been inspired by the interaction and emotions of the main installation.