Voices of Resonant Spaces (Acoustic Archaeology) is a short film directed by Eric Raynaud (Fraction), documenting a multi-disciplinary journey into the Arcy Caves in France, known for their prehistoric parietal paintings. The project was realized in collaboration with Prof. Iegor Reznikoff, a pioneer in acoustic archaeology, and Paul Oomen from the Spatial Sound Institute (4DSOUND).
The exploration, conducted in November 2019, was conceived as a combination of anthropological research, acoustic science, and artistic practice. The goal was to capture the complex resonant properties of the caves and explore the potential connections between ancient human voice use and the locations of prehistoric paintings.
Sound Recording Techniques
To capture the unique acoustic environment, the team used a range of specialized recording techniques:
- Binaural headset placed on Paul Oomen to record the full auditory path through the caves.
- Two 19-capsule spherical microphones (Zylia) to capture ambisonic soundscapes from multiple locations within the cave.
- A “cravate” microphone on Prof. Reznikoff to document dry voice, spoken word, and murmuration, capturing the subtle nuances of his vocal theories.
- Multichannel impulse responses of the caves, later processed with Ircam Spat to recreate the spatial characteristics of the cave for further study.
Documentary Context
The resulting film captures a critical moment where Prof. Reznikoff explains the core ideas behind his decades-long research into the connections between human voice, resonant spaces, and the emergence of artistic practices in early human cultures. The sound mix includes subtle stereo sound design layered with the binaural recordings made during the journey, providing an immersive sonic experience.
For more information about Iegor Reznikoff’s research, visit his profile at the University of Paris Nanterre: Iegor Reznikoff – University of Paris Nanterre