Seeing Language and Sound: The Linguistic and Musical Qualities in the Works of Bruce Nauman

Journal: Arts Studies and Criticism DOI: 10.32629/asc.v5i6.3163

Kairui Du

China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing 100102, China

Abstract

This article examines the pivotal role of musicality in Bruce Nauman's artistic practice, highlighting how rhythm, repetition, and sound intertwine with language to create immersive experiences. Nauman's works, ranging from video installations to neon sculptures, illustrate a deep exploration of auditory and visual relationships. Influenced by avant-garde composers, his manipulation of sound, both intentional and incidental, challenges traditional boundaries and enhances the viewer's engagement. By analyzing the rhythmic structures in Nauman's art, this discussion reveals how musicality transforms meaning and invites emotional responses, asserting its significance in contemporary art.

Keywords

Bruce Nauman, musicality, sound, language, immersive experience

References

[1]Christopher Cordes. Talking with Bruce Nauman. in Bruce Nauman Prints 1970-89, ed. Castelli Graphics: New York, Lorence Monk Gallery: New York, Donald Young Gallery; Chicago, 1989, p25.
[2] Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Translated by C.K. Ogden. London: Routledge, 1922. p68.
[3] Plagens, Peter. Bruce Nauman: The True Artist. New York: Phaidon Press, 2014.

Copyright © 2025 Kairui Du

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License