DO SOUNDS HAVE A COLOR, A TASTE OR A FEELING?
Does the anticipated sound of an alarm clock go off a little before the clock itself does? Does the sound of an espresso machine waft into your nostrils? Does a newspaper taste better when you hear the amplified sip of that coffee inside your own head?
Does the clank-clatter of crockery remind you of domesticity? Does the cooing of doves bring a feeling of drowsy afternoon peace?
Does the subdued sound of silverware conjure up images of an upscale restaurant - "Daniel", perhaps? Does the pop of a wine cork cover your taste buds with dried dark fruits and leather even before you take a sip? Does the sound of iced water being poured into a glass evoke the sound of a glug-glug, especially if you've had too much of that wine?
Does the drip-drip of a tap torture your sleep if you haven't drunk that water? Can the sound of a repetitive song in your delirious sleep be Blue? Can the pounding of your head the next morning be Orange?
Can the sound of an espresso machine then be the sound of a Messiah who hast come to deliver?
Guy is treading the area of synesthesia.
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Ever heard of a chap called Vilayanur Ramachandran? V. S. Ramachandran as he is better known is Director, Center for Brain and Cognition and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of California at San Diego. You should read his book, 'The Emerging Mind' for loads of interesting insight about Synesthesia (also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia). Synaesthetes do actually 'see' sound and 'hear' colour. Norman McLaren, the amazing Canadian Animation Film Maker (http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0002301) made 'The Eye Hears, The Ear Sees' way back in 1970 and it had Ravi Shankar and Samta Prasad providing the music as I recall.
Thanks for your insight, P-shot. Pretty cool stuff.
Now, I would love to read about your experience on sound in Mumbai.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I see again the great open sky of the Thar Desert when I taste Aloo Gobi—especially when it’s undercooked.
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