1967
R. Murray Schafer's 1967 book, Ear Cleaning: Notes for an Experimental Music Course, details exercises designed to heighten a person's awareness and appreciation of their acoustic environment. The concept of "ear cleaning" aligns closely with the concerns of Max Neuhaus, a fellow pioneer in sound art, who also sought to change how people listen and perceive sound.
Shared philosophy with Neuhaus
Schafer's work on acoustic ecology and Neuhaus's sound installations share a common foundation:
- Heightened awareness: Both sought to draw attention to the sonic textures of an environment. While Schafer focused on educational exercises, Neuhaus did so through subtle, continuous sonic installations that altered the perception of public spaces.
- Both artists considered all sounds within an environment to be part of a larger composition, or "soundscape".
- Challenging noise: Both addressed the challenges of noise in modern society, arguing that it can dull a person's listening abilities. Neuhaus explored this by embedding continuous tones into noisy urban environments, while Schafer focused on the importance of listening and silence