Listening to the landscape

Austrian sound artist Bernhard Leitner, who, as this year’s artist in residence, designed and realised the installation “Espenkuppel” in the Austrian Sculpture Park, talks about his experiences of “nature and sound”.

A discussion round will take place after the talk, focussing on what the landscape now means for our auditory perception.With:

Christa Brüstle (University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz, Institute for Music Aesthetics)

Winfried Ritsch (artist, Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustic)

Elisabeth Fiedler (Institute for Art in Public Space, Sculpture Park Graz) und

Katrin Bucher Trantow (Kunsthaus Graz).

Bernhard Leitner, Espenkuppel (aspen dome), 2015

Every tree has its own sound. That of the aspen (populus tremula) is particularly delicate and can be heard with the slightest breath of air. Its long-stemmed leaves have great freedom of movement and beat quickly and gently against each other. In March 2015, a circular glade was cleared and eight young aspens were planted following an octagonal architectonic layout. In around three years, their crowns will reach up to form a dome, transforming the Espenkuppel (aspen dome) into a space of audible experience.