Residency C: Moving Loudspeakers

Description

What happens when loudspeakers move? And what creative possibilities does this create? This call invites artists to explore phenomena and creative possibilities resulting from the movement of loudspeakers as physical objects.

The movement of a sound source causes amplitude and frequency modulation and changes in sound spatiality. The loudspeaker becomes a point source, clearly audible and localizable. Its movement and the associated acoustic effects are essential elements that can hardly be substituted by simulations. Moreover, the movement challenges the traditional role of loudspeakers as invisible sound transducers. They come into focus, becoming visible sounding objects with an instrument-like character. Their presence calls for visual integration. Moving loudspeakers entails performative and technical aspects. The possibilities of producing and controlling the movements range from manual handling to the exact control of stepper motors.

Artists applying for this residency should be interested in creating a work for fixed media or live electronics with musicians using at least one moving speaker. The movement of the speaker(s) can be performed by means of humans, mechanical or electromechanical devices.
Candidates submit a conceptual idea or a composition sketch (see “Conditions, application & selection process”). They are asked to propose how the moving loudspeaker can be incorporated into their application – the concrete implementation will be discussed together with the selected candidate. A selective portfolio will reflect the candidate’s profound interest in moving loudspeakers and music technology, readily apparent in their own artistic work.

For more information visit: https://blog.zhdk.ch/soundinmotion

Course of the residency

The residency lasts three weeks (21 days). The resident has full use of the ICST laboratory during this time. Possible dates for a three-week stay are: 28 April to 11 May 2025 or 8 to 21 September 2025.

If necessary and by arrangement, the 21 days of residency can also be divided into two visits within the specified periods. In this case the application is limited to candidates who will be arriving from within Europe.

Technical Equipment

A variety of small to large speakers, open or enclosed, are available at the ICST. Movements can be executed:

  • by hand
  • with motors (stepper motors): rotate horizontally (rotation loudspeaker), vertically
  • with motors: 340° horizontal, 340° vertical (aggregate loudspeaker)
  • with pendulums (motorized lifting)

Self-built equipment is welcome, but it must be constructed by the resident. Within the residency, it will hardly be possible to build special devices.

Performance

If there is mutual interest, efforts will be undertaken to present and discuss the results of the residency through a performance or a talk at the ICST. A performance can also take place as part of the public event «Lange Nacht» (May 2025) at the ZHdK.

Support

Residents will be supported throughout the residency by Peter Färber (Project Manager Moving Loudspeakers).

Conditions, application & selection process

Applications for the Artists in Residence at ICST program must be submitted using the online form.

The deadline for applications is 1 September 2024. Candidates will be notified in mid-October 2024. The residencies will be awarded by a jury consisting of ICST researchers and project leaders.

Please upload the following documents: 

  1. Concept sketch, composition idea or project draft (PDF, 2 pages and 10 MB max.)
  2. Portfolio containing three selected works relevant to the residency topic, including links to external media (audio & video) (PDF, 2 pages and 10 MB max.)
  3. CV in tabular form containing information on education and career (PDF, 1 page and 10 MB max.) 

The selected candidates will be notified by email. Together with the notification, they receive the forms required for an invitation to Switzerland and are kindly asked to confirm their participation and return the filled-out forms within 10 days. If the period of 10 days is not observed, the ICST can withdraw the invitation.

The exact dates for the residencies will be defined individually.

The residencies include the use of facilities and technical infrastructure as specified in the thematic descriptions, as well as technical support by ICST research staff. 

Participants will receive a contribution to their expenses for travel to Zurich (up to CHF 300 for persons living in Europe, up to CHF 500 for persons living outside Europe), as well as a per diem to cover meals and accommodation in Zurich during the residency. Participants organise their own travel and accommodation in Zurich, with ICST providing assistance if required.