ID#: 441

Diviso in due (2023) ; 9:56

Cristian Argento

Conservatory Alessandro Scarlatti of Palermo

The piece represents a deep sonic immersion into the human experience, particularly exploring the moment of panic, an emotional attack that distorts the perception of both body and reality. In this composition, I used a contemporary sound approach to visually and audibly express the dissociative state of the protagonist, who experiences the body as a separate entity from the mind. The work unfolds through the use of advanced sound manipulation techniques such as morphing, freezing, and granular processing. These techniques are employed to create fluid and fragmented transitions between sounds and atmospheres, suggesting the alternation of contrasting emotional states and the tension between the concrete and the imaginary. Morphing allows sounds from different temporal dimensions to merge, blending the present with the past, while freezing represents those moments of stillness, of physical and mental immobility, during which the protagonist is trapped in their own anguish. Granular manipulation, in turn, creates sonic textures that seem to crumble and dissolve over time, evoking the fragility of the human psyche and the loss of control. Conceptually, I chose to integrate environmental recordings from the Botanical Garden, creating a contrast between the natural world and the internal one. These sounds—including the singing of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the breath of the earth—serve as a bridge between the two realities, representing a sort of mental refuge that, though distant, remains accessible even in moments of chaos. The Botanical Garden thus becomes a symbol of rebirth and healing, a place of balance that unfortunately feels distant during the intensity of a panic attack. The piece does not merely aim to represent a personal experience; it seeks to invite the listener into a deeper exploration of the human psyche. The sonic alterations suggest an introspective reflection, encouraging the listener to confront their own fears and vulnerabilities. The composition underscores the importance of recognizing and embracing our fragility, in order to find, through sound, a way out toward a state of greater serenity and awareness. In a world that is increasingly frantic and overwhelmed, this piece aims to be an invitation to pause, to listen, and to discover that even in moments of greatest anguish and confusion, there are spaces of peace and possibilities for rebirth.