Rumour and Radiation: Sound in Video Art - In-Depth

In this review Paul Hegarty's Rumour and Radiation: Sound in Video Art is assessed as a thoughtful, historically minded book for readers who want to understand how sound reshaped video art. The single biggest reason to buy is its clear thesis that sound first entered the gallery via 1960s video work and produced an unexpected noise that rewrites familiar art narratives. The tone is analytical rather than introductory, and the book is best approached as a critical study rather than a how-to or survey for casual browsing.

Key Features

• Historical thesis: Traces the moment sound entered gallery practice via 1960s video art, giving readers a focused argumentative through-line.
• Close readings: Offers detailed analysis of specific video works, helping readers see how sound functions within individual pieces.
• Artist case studies: Examines a range of artists including Steve McQueen, Christian Marclay, Ryan Trecartin, and Jane and Louise Wilson to show varied strategies.
• Intermedia and synaesthesia: Connects disparate works with the twin ideas of intermedia and synaesthesia to frame cross-sensory practice.
• Period coverage: Moves from the formative 1960s into the mid-1990s to trace the transition of video art from a marginal to an embedded contemporary form.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at students, curators, and practitioners who already have a basic familiarity with contemporary art and wish to explore sound's disruptive role within video art. Its close readings and theoretical framing make it suited to seminar discussion, course reading lists, and curatorial research where nuance and historical argument matter.

Readers seeking a general introduction to sound art or a richly illustrated coffee-table survey should look elsewhere; this is not a catalogue or a simple primer, but a critical, text-driven study best read with attention to theory and case examples.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, focused thesis that reframes the entry of sound into gallery practice through video art.
• Well-chosen artist examples that demonstrate different strategies and developments across decades.
• Analytical close readings that reward readers interested in interpretation rather than just description.

Cons

• Not intended as an introductory survey; readers without prior context in contemporary art theory may find the prose demanding.

Specifications

Title	Rumour and Radiation: Sound in Video Art
Author	Paul Hegarty
Subject	Video art and sound art history
Periods covered	1960s to mid-1990s
Artists discussed	Steve McQueen; Christian Marclay; Ryan Trecartin; Jane and Louise Wilson
Key concepts	Intermedia; synaesthesia

Our Verdict

Rumour and Radiation is a focused, rewarding study for readers who want to rethink the role of sound within video art through rigorous argument and close readings. It represents good value for students, researchers, and curators who need a critical perspective on intermedia practices, though casual readers seeking broad overviews may prefer a different book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover contemporary video artists?
Yes, it moves from early video art in the 1960s through to the mid-1990s and discusses contemporary figures within that range.

Is this a practical guide to making sound art?
No, the book is a critical and historical study rather than a how-to manual for practitioners.

Will the book help curators?
Yes, its theoretical framing and close readings are useful for curatorial research and exhibition planning.