Session 3.4
Energy infrastructure, landscapes and sound
Annina Boogen
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Switzerland
Following a classical disciplinary PhD in Energy Economics, I decided to search for other means than scientific empirical research to encounter some of the todays complex problems such as the energy transition. In order to explore this, I pursued a Master degree in Transdisciplinary Studies in and with the Arts (at the Zurich University of the Arts), where I was able to explore aesthetic empirical research – in the sense of aísthēsis (study of sensory and embodied perception) – as a tool to investigate energy infrastructure while employing the Arts as disciplines that deal with this concept on a daily basis. Hence, my understanding of the term «transdisciplinary» — among other features — lies in the productive intermingling of scientific and artistic research. Such a view on transdisciplinarity that includes artistic research is valuable in order to advance transdisciplinary concepts and methodologies. Artistic approaches can bring in novel perspectives, contribute to new narratives and allow to make subjectivities negotiable, which then can be reflected. Moreover, a further characteristic of transdisciplinarity is the integration of different forms of knowledges, that should also include the epistemologies of artistic research and practices.
In the audio piece for the ITD conference I will use my master thesis as an example to show how the intermingling of social science research and an aesthetic approach can be used to co-produce alternative energy futures in alpine spaces. In the project, I used field work visits of hydro dams in the Swiss alps to collect aesthetic material in an experimental setting. Energy infrastructure – such as a hydro dam – changes, influences and recreates alpine landscapes. Research on landscape changes generally use standardised preference surveys to study the perception of these changes. While standardised preference surveys provide valuable information, the detection of sensory and bodily perceptions by means of closed questions is limited, as only pre-formulated information can be gathered. One key aspect in this work is that the discourse around landscapes are dominated by the visual aesthetics, however we engage with the world not only with our eyes but also with our ears. Thus, I complemented the material collection process with a listening and recording approach. Using this method, one is able to investigate the affective and aesthetic qualities that the encounter with sound, landscape and hydro dams produce.
While the technical solutions for the energy transition from engineers are mostly ready, there is a societal dimension — that plays a critical role for the political transition to come. However, for investigating this social dimension and its issues not only scientific empirical research is necessary, but also aesthetic empirical research and practices. Stepping outside for a moment, generating new narratives connected to affective factors in how we respond to the world, are tools that potentially should be integrated to TD research. Future research could thus test whether such an approach might be useful to be integrated to a participatory energy planning process for the energy transition.
References
Batel, S., Devine-Wright, P., & Tangeland, T. (2013). Social acceptance of low carbon energy and associated infrastructures: A critical discussion. Energy Policy, 58, 1–5.
Jørgensen, D., & Jørgensen, F. (2018). Aesthetics of Energy Landscapes. Environment, Space, Place, 10, 1.
Kanngieser, A. (2015). ‘Geopolitics and the Anthropocene: Five Propositions for Sound’. GeoHumanities, 1 (1): 80–85.
Ultra-red. (2014). Ultra-Red Workbook No. 02: Five Protocols for Organized Listening. Koenig.
Wallace, Doireann, de Moura Rocha Lima, Giovanna, Sessa, Carlo, & Ohlmeyer, Jane. (2021). Maximising Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences integration in inter- and transdisciplinary research for effective responses to societal challenges – SHAPE-ID project – Policy Brief.