hangköltés

Hangköltés is a Hungarian term that translates to "sound poetry" or "sound art" and refers to a specific artistic practice that emerged in the 20th century. It involves the use of sound as the primary medium for artistic expression, often moving beyond traditional linguistic or musical structures. While often associated with avant-garde movements, hangköltés encompasses a broad range of sonic explorations.

The practitioners of hangköltés might utilize vocalizations, found sounds, electronic manipulations, or even silence to create their compositions. The focus is on the intrinsic qualities of sound itself – its texture, timbre, rhythm, and spatial presence – rather than its conventional communicative or narrative functions. This can lead to works that are abstract, experimental, and challenge the listener's perception of what constitutes art.

Historically, hangköltés has roots in Dadaism and Futurism, movements that sought to break down established artistic conventions and embrace new forms of expression. Later, it found fertile ground in concrete poetry and sound art movements globally. While the term is distinctly Hungarian, its principles and aesthetic concerns resonate with international sound art and experimental music practices. The intent is often to explore the phenomenological experience of sound and its potential for creating unique sensory and emotional landscapes.