Tuned City

Listening to the voice.
Listening to the stones and the city.
Listening to history and the mythology.
Listening to the environment.
Listening to each other.
Do we all hear the same when we are listening?

“Tuned City” is researching the relation between sound and space and presents artistic work and theoretical positions derived from critical preoccupations with sound in the context of urban and architectonic situations with particular emphasis on original approaches to the role of ’sound’ and ‘listening’.

“Tuned City”’s previous milestones Berlin 2008, Tallinn 2011, and Brussels 2013 used to take place in central European metropolises. This year, “Tuned City” occurs in Ancient Messene and seeks out the exemplary ‘ideal city’, the ancient Greek “polis”.

The archaeological site and active excavation, with all its layers of history, is the ideal place to reflect on the ‘city as a construct’ and to explore the sensual aspects of space as well as the social and political dimensions of the city. Underneath the well preserved city structure of the ancient place it becomes very clear that it was Hippodamus greatest achievement: recognizing that urban planning was about more than engineering a functional city. It was about creating an environment that expressed and nurtured the ideals of its citizens.

What do we project on a site like this? How do we trace and preserve history and how does this shape contemporary and future culture identities? What lies underneath and in-between the monumentalised obvious findings? How can we decode sedimented memories? What is the difference between local and distant, past and present modes of memory? How can we access or activate different modes of perception?

“Tuned City” is going to listen underneath the surface and in between the obvious findings. Ancient Messene will be transformed in to a vast platform for artistic production and presentation, discussion and intermediation of sound art and music in public spaces through a variety of formats in a direct interrelation with the local context and a vital exchange with a local and international audience.

The program of this edition of “Tuned City” is organized as one constant stream of talks, performances and presentations. There are no parallel events unless overlaps are part of the intended dramaturgy. Nevertheless, some events might happen unannounced or even unnoticed – pay attention! Various installations are running permanently for the whole 3-day event. Some of them will have performative activations or link with presentation moments in to the program. The Acts of Listening group will circle around “Tuned City” like a satellite, injecting, adding, commenting, extending, blurring, questioning and challenging the proceedings.

Each day of the proceedings will be focused on a central theme: Listening Politics, Media Matters, Spectral Ambiences

In order to avoid delay, guests are kindly asked to be on the site 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Guests are also advised to wear comfortable lightweight clothing and good walking shoes, and have available with them a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water.

Click here to see the full programme.

Click here to find out more about Tuned City.