KorSonoR—Sound and Visual Arts: second edition

Featured artists: Gilles Aubry + Ahmed Essyad; Matthieu Baumann; Chuchchepati Orchestra meets DARA Strings; Dimitri de Perrot and guests Sam Alvarez, Simone Aubert, Citron Citron, Jorge Care, Tom Gurin, Elouen Hermand, NVST, Yui Terada, Cyril Yeterian; Salômé Guillemin; Jean-Luc Hervé; Alexandre Joly + Daniel Zea and guests Olga Kokcharova, Sergei Leonov with Ensemble Vortex, Jiwon Seo; Gabriela Löffel; Marie Losier; Marina Rosenfeld; Valby Vokalgruppe + Francis Baudevin; James Webb.

Curator: Olivier Kaeser
Organisation and production: Arta Sperto

Now firmly established as a biennial event following its inaugural edition in 2023, the second KorSonoR continues its exploration of sound in all its dimensions—bodily, social, technological, architectural and natural. What we call “sound” spans a vast spectrum: vocal, instrumental, electronic, field recordings, spatial resonances, sound archives and more. Sound is everywhere. It carries emotional, documentary, memorial, sociocultural, political and creative meaning. Sound calls for listening—for attentiveness—qualities that deepen our perception of people, objects and situations, and that spark the imagination. It unfolds through time, inviting reflection, introspection and a more nuanced understanding of the world around us.

KorSonoR draws inspiration from the pioneering work of Max Neuhaus, the “father” of sound installation, who created three pieces for Geneva, including Promenade du Pin (2002), one of the few permanent sound installations in a public space. His legacy anchors the global history of sound art within Geneva’s contemporary landscape. The project also resonates with the concept of deep listening developed by composer Pauline Oliveros, an influence echoed in Émilie Ding’s neon artwork in the Plainpalais district, created as a tribute to Oliveros.

 KorSonoR 2025 brings together performances, concerts, installations, sculptures, films, videos, residencies, discussions and collaborative projects. Two prelude events in August set the tone for this year’s edition, shaping the artistic direction of the works to come: first, a sonic activation of an iconic 1960s building by the Berlin-based duo LABOUR; then, a series of “sound and nature” concerts in the Botanical Garden’s greenhouse, featuring Ensemble Batida, Robin Meier Wiratunga, Julie Semoroz, and Lucas Niggli, who performed two works by Walter De Maria. This autumn, the line-up features twelve artists, duos and collectives—involving around eighty participants from thirteen countries—through partnerships with sixteen venues and organisations across Geneva, and one in Venice, Italy.

The opening evening, on Wednesday, October 22 (6–9pm) at Le Commun, will feature a performance by Marina Rosenfeld and live sets by Dimitri de Perrot.

From Thursday, October 23 to Sunday, November 16 (Tuesday–Sunday, 1–6 pm), Le Commun will host the main exhibition of KorSonoR 2025, presenting works by: Dimitri de Perrot, Niemandsland, sound environment / Gabriela Löffel, Grammar of Calculated Ambiguity, video and sound installation / Marie Losier, an eye in my ear / an ear in my eye, film boxes and curtain device / Marina Rosenfeld, μ, video and sound installation. 

Within Niemandsland, live sets will feature guest artists invited by the Geneva University of Music (HEM) and by the independent label and record shop Bongo Joe.

Several new productions stand out in this year’s edition: two original works by James Webb (South Africa), created respectively for the Museum of Art and History and for Lac Léman; the first complete iteration of Multiverse of a Birdcage by Alexandre Joly and Daniel Zea, the result of three artist residencies culminating in live concerts; a new collaboration between the Danish vocal collective Valby Vokalgruppe and visual artist Francis Baudevin, developed with Ensemble Vide; a new film-box by Marie Losier; and the debut performance by Matthieu Baumann, among others.

Performances are often followed by conversations between artists and audiences, reflecting Arta Sperto’s ongoing commitment to dialogue and exchange. A wide-ranging programme of outreach activities will also be offered, tailored to different audiences and age groups.

Arta Sperto
Based in Geneva, Arta Sperto (meaning “artistic experience” in Esperanto) curates, produces, organises and publishes artistic projects, primarily multi- and cross-disciplinary in nature.