Algorithms, animals, autonomy and agency: Ludic framing in sonic arts

Abstract Concepts such as agency, autonomy and collaboration are often used by artists to frame relationships in more-than-human sonic practices, from works engaging animal sounds and environments to those involving algorithms. Because these terms carry divergent meanings in biology, computer science and cultural theory, they become fragile when invoked literally in sonic arts. This paper proposes approaching such framing as ludic : creative, explicitly non-ontological and a significant part of the process of making a work. It develops this position in three stages, examining historical more-than-human sonic art involving multiple species before moving from interspecies practices to those involving algorithms, then contextualising these discussions through a reflection on the author’s own practice. Approaching relational framing as ludic rather than literal can generate richer meaning and experience for both artists and audiences. Further, this removes the burden of proving or disproving agency or autonomy and instead opens space for more nuanced, playful and complex possibilities in how algorithmic instruments are conceptualised, designed and performed.