In 2004, Christian Hugonnet rose to this challenge by creating the "Week of Sound". This is because the sound engineer, with a background in acoustics, considered that sound - notwithstanding the fact that it crosscuts several fields - had too long been considered only from the standpoint of the different sectors it traverses. So, he came up with the idea of dedicating a week to sound every year. The far-reaching event is held in 27 cities in France, a country that has continually focused on image since the nineteenth century, unlike Germany and the United States. The Sixth Week of Sound (endorsed by four Ministries [1]), which will be held from January 13 to 17, 2009, in Paris and from January 12 to 25, in the regions, is an invitation to discover ecological sound and become aware of the stakes involved. Christian Hugonnet talks briefly about this vital issue. Interview by Jean-François Desessard.
BE France - Where do acoustics stand today in France?
Christian Hugonnet - Allow me to answer another question. Why aren't there any acousticians in France today, who can really express themselves? That is why we are working on a Bill that would make it possible to assign the design stage to an acoustician to design the building for a project to create a venue dedicated to music. Only then, would the acoustician call on an architect. Actually, this is how it is often done in the United States. In France, the culture of the image prevents sound from holding the rank it deserves. The day dedicated to acoustics during the Week of Sound will deal with a very important subject, i.e., the acoustics of schools, another area where acousticians are not allowed to express themselves fully.
BE France - Is it not true that this opposition between sound and image, or between the ear and the eye, can be found when addressing their potential effects on human health?
Christian Hugonnet - Absolutely. For instance, if people had to choose between their ears or eyes after an accident, almost all of them choose to keep their eyes. However, the lack of ears often causes the lack of oral expression and a hearing disorder may cause a balance disorder. Losing one's hearing is a trauma that many people never get over. Don't forget that having ears provides 360° listening capabilities, in other words, constant alert whereas the eyes only look in one direction. Becoming aware of the importance of hearing, which, admittedly, has already begun, must continue and grow. That is why the Week of Sound is devoting its first day to hearing health, and specifically prevention and hearing technologies and prostheses.
BE France - Dealing with hearing health inevitably involves talking about sound dispersion technologies and hearing devices. The Week of Sound will address the subject during a whole day. What is your input on this subject?
Christian Hugonnet - We live in a world where we record a lot and, increasingly, without worrying about sound quality. The compression of sounds, which are now only contained in 0.5dB of sound dynamics, cause substantial damage, in terms of listening as well as musical creation. For instance, many young people, who are used to this kind of listening, are no longer able to perceive low sounds. Due to omnipresent sound compression, an increasing number of composers are prompted to alter the way they work, and compose without nuance. Taking account of this and with help from the French Ministry for Culture and Communication, we have decided to design a "sound thermometer". The idea is to demonstrate that the entire voice functions at 40 to 80dB. So, our aim is to develop a beginner's approach to provide each child with what we call its "little sound valise", a mock valise that will be with the child during its entire life and make it possible for the child to position itself with regard to the world of sound that it experiences daily.
BE France - The Week of Sound will last another two other days, one on the relation between image and sound and the other on musical expression and practice. So, the event will be offering the public with a unique array of topics, unparalleled worldwide. Are you considering exporting this idea?
Christian Hugonnet - Originally, we thought of building the event on a national scale, with the option of creating an International Week of Sound. Today, several cities and countries are interested in the project, based on the idea of "let's help the public understand why it is important to make sound" rather than "let's do acoustics". Very simply, this is a societal project based on oral production, i.e., life, that respects the instrument we have, viz., our ears. Montreal is launching a Week of Sound in 2009, for the first time.
[1] The Week of Sound is sponsored by the Ministry for Culture and Communication, the Ministry for Education, the Ministry for Health, Youth, Sport and the Voluntary Sector, and the Ministry for the Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning.
La Semaine du Son - The Week of Sound - Christian Hugonnet - Phone: +33 (0)1 42 08 04 50 - email: christian.hugonnet@wanadoo.fr - The Week of Sound, Press Office - Estelle Reine-Adélaïde - Phone: +33 (0)1 77 15 17 14 - email: eracom@mac.com - Association La Semaine du Son (Association for the Week of Sound)- Phone: +33 (0)1 42 78 10 15 - email: info@lasemaineduson.org
