CultureAugust 16, 2026

soundscape

SOUND-skayp

Definition

A collection of sounds or an auditory environment that forms a cohesive, immersive experience or background for an artwork.

Etymology

The word is a modern compound formed by combining 'sound' (from Old English 'sund') and 'scape' (a suffix denoting a view or scene, derived from 'landscape'). It was popularized in the late 20th century, particularly within ecology and music, to describe the sonic characteristics of a place.

In the news

The term is used to describe the audio component of Jasper Marsalis’s 'Still Life' exhibition at Chisenhale Gallery, which is composed of radio waves. It highlights the gallery's use of multimedia to create an evolving, immersive environment for visitors.

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London Evening Standard

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