Module 4.2

How is music strategically employed in constructing our experience of interior space?

It has been one week since the submission of our basic proposal for the creation of a fifteen minute long radio documentary. Since then, the project has developed even further and the idea has become even more refined. After examining certain areas of the basic proposal, we decided to carry out our research in some key public spaces where the notion of identity construction is driven by different styles of architecture intertwined with various forms of music. Do different kinds of music and interior design work together to forge different forms of identity? This is one of the key questions that needs to be answered and where better to begin than Maastricht's most luxurious hotels - places bearing 4 stars and the realm of the wealthy.

What role does music play within these establishments? Is it a factor that will lure guests into the hotel, reassuring them of their place in society and the quality of their accommodation? Or on the other hand, does a certain form of music upset the atmosphere and lead to discontent? In order to explore the manner in which identity is created through music in these hotels, we plan to interview the guests in order to document their thoughts on the role of music and how they are influenced by it. The next step will involve finding the individuals who are in charge of the music selection. We intend to ask them why they desire to play certain songs, how they act as an extension of interior design and of course, the desired effects on the guests. We hope to involve hotels like Amrath Grand Hotel de L`Empereur, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Novotel and Hotel Riche Valkenburg.

After researching the role of music in hotels, we intend to move in a completely different direction. How is identity constructed in the pubs of Maastricht? Do different types of music attract different types of people? We intend to analyse this problem in several ways - one of which will be interviewing staff in an Irish pub. These establishments are deeply associated with Irish identity and it will be fascinating to investigate the extent of the musical presence and its effects on cultural identity. The relationship between aural and visual aspects within the pub will be key to the construction of an identity, and it will be even more interesting if people feel detached from Maastricht and enveloped in Irish culture.

Our project now has a solid structure and we want to visit these locations tomorrow in order to arrange interviews. Once this has been achieved, we intend to compile a series of questions. Once we have recorded all of the information required, we will then write a script and get to work on editing the radio documentary, putting together a comprehensive analysis of music's strategic role in constructing our experience of interior space.