Steve McCaffery demonstrates McLuhan’s notion that technology acts as an extension of the senses. The tape recorder, as McCaffery notes, allowed for a sensory extension hitherto experienced in sound poetry in its historical manifestations – during the rise of what he calls the third phase of sound poetry (1950s onward), when sound poetry was not bound to the word or meaning. It is at this time, conceivably, that sound poetry joins what is known as concrete poetry and gives rise to the sensory perceptions and ambiguities with which McLuhan was wrestling in his exploration of oral and print-based cultures.
McCaffery outlines the history of sound poetry itself: while concrete poetry, he explains, emerged more towards the 1960’s, sound poetry as it has been explored by international artists and writers has been the focus of poetic and artistic experimentation for some time. The third phase, as McCaffery notes, was heralded by the tape recorder and offered the possibility of executing experiments in language and sound that were hitherto impossible. While it could be argued that the tape recorder represented a detachment of the senses, I am building on McCaffery’s contention and suggesting that it in fact extended them in offering the opportunity for additional experimentation and building on the relationship between senses and technology.
McCaffery outlines the history of sound poetry itself: while concrete poetry, he explains, emerged more towards the 1960’s, sound poetry as it has been explored by international artists and writers has been the focus of poetic and artistic experimentation for some time. The third phase, as McCaffery notes, was heralded by the tape recorder and offered the possibility of executing experiments in language and sound that were hitherto impossible. While it could be argued that the tape recorder represented a detachment of the senses, I am building on McCaffery’s contention and suggesting that it in fact extended them in offering the opportunity for additional experimentation and building on the relationship between senses and technology.
