Reading Blog #2

The article about John Cage's Art of Noise explores his radical approach to sound and music and challenges conventional notions about music and silence. It is interesting to hear about as his approach is very unique and new to most. Cage's work fundamentally reframes our understanding of art and auditory experiences and suggests that silence isn't the absence of sound but a space for reflection and engagement with the environment that surrounds us. In his piece 4'33", where he sat at a piano and remained silent, epitomizes this philosophy. It allows the listeners to pay attention to the ambient sounds in their world, underscoring how background noise can be a profound source of meaning.

The audience reacts to this as an absurdity, crazy, and meaningless, but Cage's emphasis on chance and unpredictability in music encourages a more democratic interaction and invites the audiences to reframe their thinking about this performance art. He dismantles the barriers between music and natural soundscapes, urging us to reconsider what qualifies as music. Thus, fostering a deeper appreciation for the ordinary, suggesting that every sound in our world has artistic potential.

I think that this way of thinking is really interesting and important. Oftentimes, people expect a performance that is full of traditional music composed of made-up sounds and notes from instruments. However, Cage is changing the meaning of music to be more subjective to the listener and I like that it serves as a reminder of the importance of listening in a noisy world. Ultimately, his art not only transforms our relationship with sound but also invites a contemplative and deeper approach to the complexities of existence, pushing for the finding of beauty in both noise and silence.