Technologies of Consciousness

Performance & Artist Talk

Supporting Acts:
Alessandra Eramo: Solo for Voice and Electronics
Nico Daleman: Noise Re(in)Duction. Sonic Intervention on the Possibility of Noise Reduction Algorithms for Sound Art

Technologies of Consciousness: NUMINOUS MACHINES, Performance & Artist Talk

The collective Technologies of Consciousness (Montreal) will give an improvisational insight into their performance NUMINOUS MACHINES, followed by a talk. Numinous Machines is an audiovisual performance that explores the enigmatic threshold experienced during near-death. Drawing inspiration from these profound moments intertwined with Yantras (sacred geometry), the performance delves into the convergence of the natural world, technology, and the ethereal more-than-human realm. Utilizing macroscopy, modified turntables, and biodisks, the synthesis of sound and images becomes a captivating journey through a graphical notation governed by the innate law of decomposition. Exploring the connection between touch, sound reproduction, and materiality, the performance delves into the physicality of sound, bridging the tactile art of “turntablism” and techniques that transcribe sound into tangible forms.

Visual, sound and bio-composite research: Sonya Stefan & Stephanie Castonguay
Collaborators: Sarah Williams, Gabrielle Harnois-Blouin, Patti Schmidt, Martin Tétreault, Jean-Michel Thellen, Anne-Françoise Jacques, Gabrielle Harnois-Blouin, Patti Schmid, Anne-Françoise Jacques, Gabrielle HB, Jackie Gallant, Sonya Stefan, Stephanie Castonguay, Vivian Li, Jackson Darby (Personal Touch Vinyl), Cristobal Urbina (See You Mastering).

Motivated by the porous and undefined intersections between art, media, and science, TECHNOLOGIES OF CONSCIOUSNESS seek to define our biological consciousness through our shared potential to feel a deep and meaningful communion with the sphere of Nature. Driven by the spirit of DIY, their projects embrace a radical and popular perspective of non-expertise, demystifying the organic world in relation to the healing of the body, and the processes of decomposition and the notion of the end of the cycle. Recently, Stephanie Castonguay and Sonya Stefan completed the short film SENTIENT BEINGS, featured in competition at RVCQ and the International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA). They have also been artists in long-term residence at the Biosphere of Montreal, in partnership with C.A.M. and REPAIRE. Their research is infused with a critical approach, addressing circular economy, democratization of knowledge, and evolving materiality.

www.technologies-of-consciousness.com
www.stephaniecastonguay.com
www.sonyastefan.com

ALESSANDRA ERAMO: Solo for Voice and Electronics

Alessandra Eramo’s live performance centres on the voice, exploring its relationship with noise and the environment. Through a collage of hypnotic soundscapes and voices, she transcends sound and delves into deeper layers of poetic expression. Beatboxing, tongue clicking, screeching, hissing: she navigates trance-like states of singing using extended vocal techniques, non-verbal vocalisations, raw noise, melodies, distortions, fragmented words and unknown languages. These are interwoven with a dynamic use of field recordings, feedback, samplers and pre-recorded sonic material. Drawing on the tradition of sound poetry, her sound performance seeks to generate an immersive acoustic experience – like a spiritual practice shared with the audience. www.ezramo.com

NICO DALEMAN: Noise Re(in)duction Sonic Intervention on the Transductive Aesthetics of Sonic Derbis

Noise Re(in)duction puts into perspective the cultural differences of the concept of noise, while also questioning the noise reduction algorithms’ inherent biases. My research understands noise as a constitutive part of our sonic environments and our political Zeitgeist. In a world of hyper-mediation and overconsumption, challenging the listening practices encouraged by tech corporations recontextualizes (sonic) climate (in)justice by bringing awareness to our social relationship with noise. Who gets to decide what is noise pollution? Who has the privilege to access silence? www.nicodaleman.com

In collaboration with Errant Sound, manifest:io Festival, and Liebig 12.
Technologies of Consciousness gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts. Numinous Machines is a co-production of AVATAR and MUTEK.

Check also out Technology of Consciousness’ performance at manifest:io Festival (22–23 February 2025): https://www.manifestio.art/

See also:
https://errantsound.net/

Video summary by Johanna Elsen:
https://www.fluctuating-images.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Technologies_of_Consciousness_komprimiert.mp4