Angelica Bizzotto and Hester Yang, two Film BA students at the University of Westminster Film School, have undertaken an audio documentary project as part of the BBC New Creatives programme to explore the experience of synesthesia, a rare neurological condition that is known as the ‘crossing of senses’.
The project took four months to complete, in which the filmmakers were given the opportunity to focus on what it is like to live with synesthesia, a condition which includes tasting sounds and often perceiving them as visuals, allowing the students to challenge the romanticism of the condition and explore how it is perceived by society.
With an estimated 2-4% of the population currently affected with this condition, The Fabric of Sound, Angelica and Hester’s piece, explores the prospects of sound as a medium for storytelling, making this a central concept of their project.
Angelica and Hester were able to work closely with an array of people to ensure The Fabric of Sound uncovered an accurate and realistic representation of those experiencing synesthesia.
Working alongside the students was Nikta Mohammadi, a producer from the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) which supports artistic and cultural movements, and Babak Mirsalari, a professional sound designer. In addition, the directors were able to collaborate with three synesthetes, as well as James Wannerton, the president of the UK synaesthesia association, an organisation that brings scientists, researchers students and synesthetes together to study and further our understanding of synesthesia.
The piece itself takes on three personal experiences of the neurological condition interwoven into a singular narrative that depicts everyday perceptions for synesthetes. This has been done by combining the element of sound with textures in the hopes of evoking other senses.
The Fabric of Sound was created in collaboration with BBC New Creatives, a talent scheme co-founded by BBC Arts and Arts Council England that commissions a number of artistic projects, ranging from drama and animation, to spoken word and dance across an array of different topics.
Forming an integral part of BBC Introducing Arts, a scheme that produces innovative artistic works from young artists, this programme allowed Angelica and Hester the opportunity to explore synesthesia and accurately represent the condition across a large platform.
Commenting on the project, Hester Yang said: “What fascinates me the most about synesthesia is how it challenges our everyday perception of reality. It points out an often forgotten fact - perception is subjective. It also draws attention to the other senses: hearing, smell, taste, touch, which is something really refreshing in a visual - dominated culture.”
Regarding the opportunity to work on the project as part of the BBC New Creatives programme, Angelica Bizzotto added: “It took months to develop this 10 minute audio documentary, a lot of creative discussion and research but the results are exceptional. Me and Hester are grateful that we have been selected as ‘new emerging talent’ with the possibility of creating this piece and having it broadcasted on BBC Sounds.”
Find out more about The Fabric of Sound. Follow Angelica Bizzotto and Hester Yang on Instagram.
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