Sounds of survival, weaponization of sounds

Luis Velasco-Pufleau (1) , Laëtitia Atlani-Duault (2)

1 UNIBE - Universität Bern / University of Bern
2 CEPED - UMR_D 196 - Centre population et développement

In this special issue, we explore how sonic experiences in contexts of organized violence can be understood as sonic lieux de mémoire (sonic sites of memory). We examine how these sonic lieux de mémoire can be seen from two perspectives, representing the dark and bright sides of the same phenomenon. On one hand, sound, music, and silence are used as weapons in organized violence, for example, in detention facilities or during wars or political conflicts. On the other hand, they constitute symbolic resources, positive tools that contribute to the (re)construction of subjectivities and thus can serve as tools for survival and resistance. In both cases, sound and musical practices are essential facets of what makes us human.

Mots clés: lieux de mémoire; music; organized violence; silence; sonic lieux de mémoire; sonic sites of memory; sound; sound memory

Domaines: Anthropologie sociale et ethnologie; Histoire; Musique, musicologie et arts de la scène; Science politique

Luis Velasco-Pufleau, Laëtitia Atlani-Duault. Sounds of survival, weaponization of sounds. Violence: An international journal, 1 (2), 2020. ⟨hal-03119101⟩