Aesthetics of the void and algorithmic generation in contemporary sound creation

Abstract

In a world where silence has become a scarce commodity, contemporary sound creation fluctuates between the meditation on emptiness and the complexity of algorithmic generation. This article explores how the aesthetics of the void—invoking contemplation of silence and absence—relates to and complements sound creation practices based on algorithmic processes. Through case analysis and a literature review, the study examines how these approaches are explored and infused into the creative practices of contemporary artists. In their diverse and interchangeable use of representations of presence and absence, of human control and machine learning autonomy, the findings collectively show that the tension between the two proves to be increasingly productive. Moreover, it suggests unexplored directions for practical arts and aesthetic theory in the digital age.