Cian McCarthy ™
using soundscapes as inspiration to create emotionally charged visuals that represent the inner psyche *
Cian McCarthy
A Multidisciplinary artist from Wicklow. As hearing-impaired, they use their disability to create work that is both emotive and informative. Cian's work is centered in the realm of audiovisual expression. They create ephemeral soundscapes by processing collected field recordings through analog and digital audio effects, to create a sound palette that mimics that of their personal experience with wearing hearing aids. Cian uses this soundscape as inspiration to create emotionally charged visuals that represent their inner psyche.
A Multidisciplinary artist from Wicklow. As hearing-impaired, they use their disability to create work that is both emotive and informative. Cian's work is centered in the realm of audiovisual expression. They create ephemeral soundscapes by processing collected field recordings through analog and digital audio effects, to create a sound palette that mimics that of their personal experience with wearing hearing aids. Cian uses this soundscape as inspiration to create emotionally charged visuals that represent their inner psyche.
Flickering is an audiovisual exploration that culminated in video pieces focusing in on the instability and fragmentation of urban spaces, capturing the tension between the physical and digital worlds. Using slow-motion footage shot on an iPhone, the project embraces the natural flickering effect that occurs when artificial light interacts with high frame rates, revealing the unseen pulse of the city. This visual distortion, coupled with a soundscape composed of field recordings from urban and industrial environments alongside excerpts from video game OSTs, constructs a haunting, fractured portrait of contemporary urban life. The video pieces were made as part of Dublin Digital Radio’s: Alternating Currents festival, and exhibited in Flux gallery Dublin.
E c h o e s o f R e s t o r a t i o n
“Echoes of Restoration” has been an immersive journey through my own experience of receiving a cochlear implant and navigating the labyrinthine pathways of sound rehabilitation. This project is both an artistic endeavor and a deeply introspective voyage into the intersection of physical restoration and emotional resonance.
The genesis of "Echoes of Restoration" lies in the heart of an abandoned Underberg factory nestled in the Heiligensee neighborhood, just an hour's journey from the bustling core of Berlin. This site, chosen with meticulous intent, served as the crucible for my artistic expression, mirroring the raw essence of my inner psyche during the tumultuous stages of sound rehabilitation.
The genesis of "Echoes of Restoration" lies in the heart of an abandoned Underberg factory nestled in the Heiligensee neighborhood, just an hour's journey from the bustling core of Berlin. This site, chosen with meticulous intent, served as the crucible for my artistic expression, mirroring the raw essence of my inner psyche during the tumultuous stages of sound rehabilitation.
S a f e F o r M e
The music video for Safe for Me captures the vulnerability of Pippa Molony’s vocals through raw, experimental techniques. Field recordings from abandoned spaces, open landscapes, and quiet interiors layered subtle ambient sounds like wind and distant voices into the track, adding depth and emotional connection.
Visually, I used an old DVCam with a corrupted tape, whose glitches and distortions added a fragmented, dreamlike quality that mirrored the song’s themes. Embracing chance and imperfection, the lo-fi textures and layered soundscape created an intimate and timeless piece.
This project, made possible through the Arts Council Agility Award I received in August 2024, reflects the fragile beauty of the music by leaning into the flaws of analog technology
Visually, I used an old DVCam with a corrupted tape, whose glitches and distortions added a fragmented, dreamlike quality that mirrored the song’s themes. Embracing chance and imperfection, the lo-fi textures and layered soundscape created an intimate and timeless piece.
This project, made possible through the Arts Council Agility Award I received in August 2024, reflects the fragile beauty of the music by leaning into the flaws of analog technology
W a l k a t N i g h t
a project born from my one-month residency at Studio Kura. Immersed in the ambiance of the dimly lit roads surrounding the studio, I felt compelled to capture the essence of this nocturnal journey through a unique audio-visual piece.
Using my camera, I meticulously captured 432 individual photographs of the winding streets, later sequencing them together to form a hauntingly beautiful video composition. Layered atop this visual narrative is an ambient soundscape, crafted from sounds collected on-site in the neighboring area of Studio Kura. Additionally, I drew inspiration from the eerie atmosphere of the 2001 Japanese video game "Fatal Frame," incorporating elements from its soundtrack to further enhance the immersive experience.
The genesis of this project was sparked by my fascination with "Fatal Frame," a game where players use an antique camera to uncover hidden truths. I aimed to challenge viewers to perceive the ordinary through a dark and cryptic lens, inviting them to delve into the unsettling beauty of the nighttime landscape.
The outcome of "A Walk at Night" is a brooding nightmare scape, characterized by repetition and the uncanny. Through this piece, I seek to evoke a sense of foreboding and unease in the viewers, compelling them to confront the shadows lurking within the familiar streets of Studio Kura's neighborhood.
Using my camera, I meticulously captured 432 individual photographs of the winding streets, later sequencing them together to form a hauntingly beautiful video composition. Layered atop this visual narrative is an ambient soundscape, crafted from sounds collected on-site in the neighboring area of Studio Kura. Additionally, I drew inspiration from the eerie atmosphere of the 2001 Japanese video game "Fatal Frame," incorporating elements from its soundtrack to further enhance the immersive experience.
The genesis of this project was sparked by my fascination with "Fatal Frame," a game where players use an antique camera to uncover hidden truths. I aimed to challenge viewers to perceive the ordinary through a dark and cryptic lens, inviting them to delve into the unsettling beauty of the nighttime landscape.
The outcome of "A Walk at Night" is a brooding nightmare scape, characterized by repetition and the uncanny. Through this piece, I seek to evoke a sense of foreboding and unease in the viewers, compelling them to confront the shadows lurking within the familiar streets of Studio Kura's neighborhood.