The Acousmatic Project (ACP)
The Acousmatic Project, founded by Thomas Gorbach, is an arts organization dedicated to promoting acousmatic music—a form of sound art that places listening, in all its facets, at its core. Acousmatic compositions create sound worlds whose sources remain unseen, producing a unique, virtual listening experience. The Acousmatic Project is renowned for its exceptional multichannel loudspeaker orchestra, the Vienna Acousmonium, which makes it possible to spatially present acousmatic compositions in concert performances and installations.
- The Vienna Acousmonium
- A sophisticated setup of loudspeakers, hardware, and control units designed to create ephemeral dynamic-motion sound sculptures in space.
- Festivals and Concerts
- The Acousmatic Project organizes annual festivals and numerous concerts, showcasing acousmatic music and the Vienna Acousmonium.
- Past events include international performances and installations in locations such as Russia, the UK, Brazil, Slovenia, Czechia, Switzerland, Canada and Austria.
- Research and Education
- The project conducts research into the interpretation and spatialization of acousmatic music, developing new techniques for sound diffusion and control.
- The Virtual Vienna Acousmonium A research project focused on creating a digital version of the Vienna Acousmonium.
- It also offers workshops, lectures, and educational initiatives to share knowledge about acousmatic music and its technologies.
- Innovative Sound Techniques
- Ephemeral Dynamic-Motion Sound Sculptures An innovative method by Thomas Gorbach to craft fluid and dynamic sound sculptures and transform sound into an immersive spatial experience. This technique involves exploring spatial figures derived from the specific sonic qualities of each piece, transferring these concepts into a precise interpretation score, and applying specialized techniques that, with the help of the custom-built mixing console of the Acousmonium, enable the spatial realization of the interpretation.
- Collaborations and Installations
- The project collaborates with other institutions and artists. Notable projects include the permanent sound installation “Leidenschaft für Natur” at the Stiftsmuseum Admont, Austria.
- DMU Lisbon (Digital Media and Urbanism) is a leading research institute in Portugal, focusing on the intersection of digital media, urban spaces, and sound art. DMU Lisbon collaborates on projects that explore innovative uses of sound in urban environments, integrating technology, culture, and public spaces to create immersive auditory experiences.
- Musiques & Recherches Bruxelles is a renowned center in Brussels, Belgium, dedicated to acousmatic music and electroacoustic research. Founded by Annette Vande Gorne, it plays a pivotal role in the development of acousmatic music in Europe, offering training, hosting concerts, and fostering research in spatialized sound and multichannel audio systems, including the Acousmonium.
The Acousmatic Project thus stands at the intersection of technological innovation and artistic exploration, continually pushing the boundaries of how sound is experienced and interpreted.
PDF-Book: The Vienna Acousmonium
Learn more about the Vienna Akusmonium, acousmatic music and Thomas Gorbach’s method of interpreting acousmatic music.
Art promotion
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Bank data
- Account holder: The Acousmatic Project
- IBAN: AT26 1420 0200 1069 7892
- BIC: EASYATW1