Epiphanic

a work in progress exploring the sudden and unintended experiences we feel when we are unexpectedly hit with intuitive/unlearned understanding.

Concept
Epiphanic is a multimedia piece that explores those “A-ha!” moments that happen in our lives when we suddenly comprehend what was previously incomprehensible, or when we briefly touch the impossible. It’s also “OMG!” moments when we witness something mammothly unimaginable or incredibly horrible. It’s also those mundane “Hmm?” moments that’s just enough to open our mind and conscience a little wider beyond our everyday self.

Description
I imagine Epiphanic to be a multimedia piece that uses audio stories, sound (~6 vocalists/performers accompanied by an electroacoustic soundtrack), lights and live projected images.

Held in a theater-setting with lighting, audience members will hear audio stories of people that share their epiphanic moments while live video imagery is being projected in the space. Each story would have its partnered “song” that includes voice, movement and a sound score centered on the guttural sounds that humans and animals make during epiphanic experiences.

Manifestation

• 
  Identify and collect audio stories from multigenerational communities, from preschools to senior centers.

• Visit and record instances of people experiencing moments of awe, such as the full solar eclipse, large sports events, a final goodbye or even a moment on the playground.

• Work with partners on arranging the stories to create an initial form for the piece

• Create “songs” and sound accompaniment for the initial structure.

• Work with a video artist and lighting designer to create settings for the piece.

Approach
Epiphanic’s form and content stem from the people I interview and stories that are collected.

I’m interested in content revolving around intangible subjects such as crossing over to other worlds, understanding “the self”, and breaking down complex emotions. The form stems from the multigenerational people I interview and stories that are collected. The piece is then balanced depending on the different epiphanic interpretations that are felt (beautiful awe, overwhelmed awe, awesome awe, awful awe, etc).

Not only humans but other animals also have epiphanic experiences or moments of awe. Each instance is different but we all make similar sounds and facial expressions when these moments suddenly occur. As a sound artist, the content is stories collected from these instances of the youngest to the oldest people and animals in our community. As a composer, the content I want to play with are the guttural sounds and facial expressions to make a soundtrack to accompany each audio story.

Impact
Results from the world happiness report shows that Americans are becoming less happy. This is alarmingly true with the downward decline in happiness of our youth, especially teens. With so many things pulling us into our shells (social media, cell phones, AI, and anxiety), we could use a daily dose of awe in our lives. We don’t need a lot of money, nor to travel to exotic locales, to find it; it literally is always around us. I believe an audio interview from a 3 year old and a 93 year old (along with sound and video images) can do just the trick.

I feel this piece could help us become more aware of what we are in the middle of and perhaps not that able to see unless we step outside of it. I believe this piece could be the vessel for them to step outside. This piece will invite others to find a daily dose of awe or reverence in their own lives.

I hope this project will feel hopeful and bring comfort and encouragement to audiences. With listening to stories from toddlers to seniors, I hope they feel part of the whole. I hope they realize they are Part of the fabric.

With so many things pulling us into our shells (social media, cell phones, AI and technology, COVID and anxiety), I hope this brings more people together psychologically, physically and civically.

-Edward Schocker