Boštjan Perovšek andRoland Mühlethaler

Interweaving Soundscapes

Concert and Exhibition

Interweaving Soundscapes is situated at the crossroads of science and art. Scientific research into animal vibrational signals, known as biotremology, is artistically compelling due to its sonic manifestation of animal activity, which through specific organisation of sound mass can also extend into the field of interspecies communication.

The exhibition presents two spiders of the species Araneus diadematus placed on a specially designed structure that forms the core of the installation. Spider webs function not only as traps but also as extensions of the spiders’ sensory systems. Vibrations transmitted through the web are inaudible to the human ear, yet the installation reveals this hidden sonic world.

The composition consists of raw recordings of insect and spider activity, later electronically processed. Most recordings were made in the studios of the Cona Institute and Boštjan Perovšek using custom-made piezo sensors. Selected recordings were produced at Tomás Saraceno’s studio and from Roland Mühlethaler’s private sound archive.

Interweaving Soundscapes is situated at the crossroads of science and art. Scientific research into animal vibrational signals, known as biotremology, is artistically compelling due to its sonic manifestation of animal activity, which through specific organisation of sound mass can also extend into the field of interspecies communication.

The exhibition presents two spiders of the species Araneus diadematus placed on a specially designed structure that forms the core of the installation. Spider webs function not only as traps but also as extensions of the spiders’ sensory systems. Vibrations transmitted through the web are inaudible to the human ear, yet the installation reveals this hidden sonic world.

The composition consists of raw recordings of insect and spider activity, later electronically processed. Most recordings were made in the studios of the Cona Institute and Boštjan Perovšek using custom-made piezo sensors. Selected recordings were produced at Tomás Saraceno’s studio and from Roland Mühlethaler’s private sound archive.

kamera
Miha Godec
Boštjan Perovšek

Musician, composer and sound designer working in the field of experimental electroacoustic and bioacoustic music. His practice focuses on animal sounds, particularly insects, and extends to film, theatre, performance, multimedia installations and soundscapes for museums and galleries.

Roland Mühlethaler

An expert in vibrational communication of insects and spiders. His research centres on biotremology and the study of imperceptible communication systems in natural and urban environments.

Artist: Boštjan Perovšek
Scientist: Roland Mühlethaler PhD
Spiders present at the exhibition: Araneus diadematus
Artistic design of installation: Irena Pivka
Video and photos: Miha Godec
Curation and organisation: Irena Pivka, Brane Zorman
Translation and editing: Katja Kosi
Public relations: Katarina Radaljac
Production: Cona, Institute for Contemporary Arts Processing, 2020
Venue: Steklenik, Gallery for Sound, Bioacoustics and Art

The installation was created within the project konS – Platform for Contemporary Investigative Art. The project was selected within the public call Network of Investigative Art and Culture Centres. The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.