Workshop “Demystifying the Æther” by Félicien Goguey (CH) and Matthias Hurtl (AT)

Workshop description

The workshop « Demystifying the Æther » explores the world of electromagnetic waves and their omnipresence in our lives. By taking the visible infrastructure as a starting point, media artist Félicien Goguey and sound artist Matthias Hurtl will introduce the participants to the notion of hertzian space and to the activities conducted within (broadcasting, telephony, aerospace, military, trading, surveillance…). After being introduced to dedicated hardware and Software Defined Radio, participants will aquire radio signals from different frequency bands on their own – not only as a raw material for sound and image – but also to explore and understand the socio-political dimension of this space from a citizen perspective. By doing so, participants delve into the narratives of the invisible signals around us that illustrate the expansive, systemic, and geological attributes of the Technosphere.

Biography of the speakers 

Matthias Hurtl / MMTHS (AT/NL) is a media artist and researcher exploring the links between sound, electromagnetism and telecommunication networks. His interdisciplinary work takes the form of audio-visual performances, sound installations, fixed media compositions and electronic devices. In recent years, knowledge transfer and demystifying radio technology have become a crucial part of his practice through the intersection of art and education.

Félicien Goguey is a media artist and interaction designer who explores the creative potential of programming languages and new technologies to create interactive installations, live performances, applications and connected objects. His main interests lie in the factors responsible for the imperceptibility of communication networks, as well as their political and social consequences.