Sound Art Lab Residency in Struer, Denmark with Trajectories
Our participation in the Sound Art Lab Residency in Struer, Denmark, provided Trajectories with an incredible opportunity to engage deeply with the local soundscapes, collaborate with fellow artists, as well as utilize top-tier facilities and equipment. Our primary project focused on the early-stage development of three new electroacoustic compositions, formed through collaborative exercises inspired by Sound Art Lab's facilities and the surrounding environment. Additionally, we were invited to participate in an artist talk and a public performance, showcasing material developed during our time at the Åland Archipelago Guest Artist Residence in Finland in October 2023.
Upon arriving in Struer, we were immediately struck by the town's rich soundscape and the supportive atmosphere at Sound Art Lab. As soon we settled in, we quickly embarked on field recording processes, delving into the local soundscapes of Struer. We used field recorders, hydrophones and geofóns to gather audio materials, not merely amassing sounds but actively analyzing them to understand the sonic character of the place.
After documenting sufficient auditory material we engaged in intensive collaborative composition experiments, arranging and processing the sounds to form pieces that reflected our goals to highlight environmental elements, both human and non-human. These activities challenged our creative processes, encouraging new compositional approaches through time-restricted and iterative sessions. The facilities and equipment at Sound Art Lab were integral to this process. We were able to access high-end hydrophones for recording underwater, geofóns for recording through metal, and various open-air recorders with varying microphone arrays. Additionally, we experimented in an old anechoic chamber, which provided a unique environment for sound experiments. The historical significance of Sound Art Lab, located in the old Bang & Olufsen headquarters, added depth to our creative process. The presence of relics and old technologies from Bang & Olufsen's history offered unique opportunities to experiment and accentuate our work.
Our performance at Sound Art Lab was a highlight of the residency, attracting more than 20 individuals from the local community. The feedback from the audience was extremely positive and engaging, with attendees expressing enthusiasm for both the new sounds developed during the residency and older works showcased.
Huge thanks to ArtsNB and SOCAN Foundation for providing the support need to undergo a project such as this!
Trajectories
Trajectories is an ensemble of electroacoustic composers and interdisciplinary artists based in Montréal and New Brunswick consisting of Charles Harding, Malte Leander, Connor Cook, and the late Michael Pinsonneault. The collective centers its exploration on a vast array of multi-disciplinary projects that delve into diverse and pertinent themes. Through a dynamic interplay of collaborative insights, the collective navigates and reflects upon contemporary issues, events, and research areas, with each member's unique perspective influencing the group's trajectory and vice versa.
In October 2023, Charles Harding, Connor Cook, and Malte Leander participated in the Åland Archipelago Guest Artist Residence program (Kökar, Åland, Finland), a transformative experience that led to the creation of "Live on Kökar," a series of captivating performance videos, and "Quiet on Kökar," an album of etudes released on February 9, 2024. This 3-week period of intense creativity and reflection also inspired an upcoming documentary short, chronicling their immersive engagement with Kökar's history, community, ecology, and environment. This exploration into Kökar's landscape and heritage has opened new avenues for their practice-based research, laying the groundwork for exciting developments in their artistic journey.
Sound Art Lab, Struer, Denmark
https://soundartlab.org/about/
Sound Art Lab is a work environment for development and production of artistic exploration and engagement into sound and listening. Sound Art Lab opened in August 2021 in Bang & Olufsen’s former administrative building in Struer, Denmark, and has since hosted artists in residence from around the world. Since January 2023, Sound Art Lab has been the Danish Art Workshops’workshop for sound.
We offer specialized, professional work facilities, residencies, and workshops for artists at all stages of their careers. We organize educational programs for children, youth, and students in collaboration with schools and educational institutions.
We organize and host the international biennial for sound and listening, Struer Tracks, which since 2017 has presented groundbreaking Danish and international sound art. While throughout the year we present artist talks, performances, exhibitions and open labs for the public audience.
Always with sound as the focal point, we facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations, both within the arts and culture, as well as reaching out to businesses, educational institutions, and the healthcare sector. We collaborate closely with our local partners and expand our activities through our international network.
We commit ourselves to create an institution promoting and celebrating diversity and representation within Sound Art Lab as a workplace, amongst the artists in residence, and through artistic output, activities and public engagements.