The Sculpted Ear

The Sculpted Ear explores the intricate relationship between sound and statuary within Western aesthetic thought. This work of art history and philosophy examines the sounding statue, a specific type of anthropocentric sculpture that prompts viewers to imagine aural experiences. Ryan McCormack analyzes these objects not as static art, but as events conceptualized through performance and writing. By blending sound studies with sensory history, the text re-evaluates how hearing shapes our understanding of physical forms.

The book traces this history from the ancient Laocoön to the early modern Tipu's Tiger and the Commendatore in Mozart's Don Giovanni. It further examines figures like Josephine Baker and Bob Newhart to discuss the ontology of sound and recording technology. The Sculpted Ear demonstrates how these sculptures bridge the gap between music, sculpture, and technology, offering a detailed study of aurality in Western culture.