Yuntian Zhang in collaboration with Ziyi Zhou

This work is available to view online only.

Why do we feel refreshed when we retreat into the mountains and hear the rustling leaves or flowing waterfalls? Contemporary philosopher Tom Sparrow attributes this to 'sensory crystallization' a state where our senses become numb due to repetitive exposure. Familiar daily sounds lose their impact after countless repetitions, leaving our minds unstimulated. We might ignore passing cars on a busy street, but a sudden honk jolts us out of this state, triggering an active response like curiosity or anxiety. Located on the bank of Huangpu River in Hongkou District, Shanghai, Soundscape is an immersive sound experience museum that aims to challenge the norms of urban environment from an acoustic perspective. The Soundscape Museum aims to break this sensory crystallization by creating unfamiliar acoustic experiences through innovative technology and architectural spaces, reawakening the body and mind of its visitors.