How can sound, actual or implied, impact or inform our interpretation of both unremarkable and extraordinary experiences? While sound is physical—a wave moving through space—it remains invisible to the human eye. Like a texture we cannot touch, implied sound is dependent on our imaginations, memories, and projections.
Throughout The Fabric Workshop and Museum’s history, Artists-in-Residence have used sound as the focus or as a conceptual component of their residencies. These projects have often explored how to offer a direct translation of sound, an indirect representation of its energy and cultural forms, or inspire an audible response from an audience. As the title suggests, the artworks presented in this exhibition demonstrate the notion of a “sonic presence,” a palpable connection between the visual and the aural. Featuring works from the Museum’s collection alongside a selection of loaned works, Sonic Presence invites visitors to explore the resonant themes of sound in visual arts, be it implied, imagined, absent, or realized.