The Unlisten Project
(2009 - ) www.unlisten.com
This is an open web project modeled in many ways after Miranda July's website Learning to Love You More.
At the heart of the project is to realize John Cage's admonition, "If you develop an ear for sounds that are musical, it is like developing an ego. You begin to refuse sounds that are not musical and that way cut yourself off from a good deal of experience."
The basics are this: Participants accept an assignment, complete it by following the simple but specific instructions, send in the required report and see their work posted on-line. The nature of these assignments is intended to challenge the ear of the participant, allow them to 'unlisten' their hearing habits and begin to listen with new and open ears. Assignments will be accepted from anyone regardless of skill level.
This project will begin at the start of 2010.