Touched by Sound is a multi-faceted archival project celebrating the legacy of pioneering performer and instrument maker Michel Waisvisz (1949–2008). It was conceptualised together with artist and composer Tarek Atoui and Kristina Andersen, who regard Waisvisz’ archives as a catalyst for new forms of experimentation.

During the Sonic Acts Biennial 2024, ‘Touched by Sound’ took many forms – workshops, conversations, live concerts, and newly commissioned instruments inspired by Waisvisz’ oeuvre.

At BIMHUIS, the black box stage within the Muziekgebouw complex, these instruments were presented alongside talks and presentations by artists linked to his work, including Takuro Mizuta Lippit (aka dj sniff), Ji Youn Kang, Julia Giertz, Boris Shershenkov, Görkem Arıkan, Kristina Andersen, and Tarek Atoui. Together, they explored the role of gesture and the tactility of sound in electronic music, culminating in a collaborative improvisational performance.

Michel Waisvisz was a pivotal figure in Amsterdam’s experimental music scene, as well as the wider (inter)national community. From the moment digital technology became available, he constructed experimental instruments and software activated by bodily movements. His influence only increased after becoming the artistic director of the Studio for Electro-Instrumental Music (STEIM) in Amsterdam from the 1980s onwards. Touched by Sound was a project of Sonic Acts in collaboration with SoundLAB Muziekgebouw, De Appel, BIMHUIS, Kentalis, Hogeschool voor Kunsten Utrecht, Rijksacademie, and Het Nieuwe Instituut.

→ Explore the Sonic Acts Biennial 2024 programme at https://2024.sonicacts.com

CREDITS
Camera: Roman Ermolaev
Sound: Danny van der Lugt
Video editing: Hrvoslava Brkušić
Sound mastering: Hrvoje Nikšić
Intro sound: Jessica Ekomane
Intro design: Knoth & Renner with Anja Kaiser

This video is published by Paradiso & Sonic Acts as part of New Perspectives for Action, a project by Re-Imagine Europe, co-funded by the European Union.