The musical experience is traditionally defined by sound perceived through our ears. While this might seem self-evident, such a convention inherently excludes Deaf individuals from experiencing sound as an art form. The international initiative sub_bar addresses this gap by exploring sound perception through touch.
It creates an experience where sound does not target the ear canal, but instead resonates directly throughout the entire body, skin, and muscular system. Utilizing subwoofers and air pressure modulation, it builds a unique haptic experience where hearing is not a prerequisite for engagement. By composing exclusively for low frequencies, which both Deaf and hearing individuals perceive in the exact same way, through physical sensation rather than auditory channels, the project blurs the boundaries between these communities and opens up space for an equal and inclusive cultural experience. It aims to equip the Deaf community with entirely new tools for artistic expression, empowering its members to engage as creators, performers, and audience members alike.
The session will open with an introduction by Francesco Spaggiari, founder of the sub_bar initiative. He will share the origins and vision of the project as well as its integration into educational frameworks for the Deaf. He will discuss the potential of haptic acoustics for educators, therapists, and musicologists, as well as event organizers and sound engineers.
The presentation, which will also discuss the technical specifics of low-frequency composition. will be followed by a live session, giving attendees the opportunity to feel the full power of acoustic pressure and vibration on Kino Šiška’s main sound system.
sub_bar was created under the umbrella of the Berlin-based platform Eufonia as the result of long-term research into a new art form centered around the sense of touch. Since 2021, they have presented events at prestigious international venues and festivals, including the Wrocław Biennale, ADE in Amsterdam, and the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art. They continue to curate an exclusive catalog of low-frequency compositions by both established and emerging Deaf and hearing artists, such as Perc, Howie B, Portrait XO, Cigarra, and Grischa Lichtenberger.
The presentation will be held in English. Slovenian Sign Language interpretation will be available for the intro to the performance and the discussion afterwards.
Perceptions of Music is an educational event series organized by the Slovenian Musicological Society and co-funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.
Organized by: Slovenian Musicological Society in collaboration with Kino Šiška and the Slovenian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ZDGNS). Supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Ljubljana.
