Polyphony

Polyphony / C-LAB Taiwan Sound Lab - Photo: C-LAB Taiwan Sound Lab

Ars Electronica Features Exhibition

Exhibition

Polyphony

C-LAB Taiwan Sound Lab (TW)

The title Polyphony designates the simultaneous combination of two or more tones or melodic lines in music and, in literature, the co-existence of multiple perspectives. In the turbulent contemporary era, this exhibition attempts to represent exchanges and dialogues that embrace resonating and co-existing differences as well as a collaborative spirit for co-creation across disciplines, cultures, and artistic vocabularies. It evokes essential universal values and proposes positive visions of common prosperity, yet with warnings.
Polyphony includes a visual art showcase in POSTCITY, two immersive concerts in Deep Space, and one concert at Anton Bruckner University. The interactive installations, VR works, dance, and immersive performances represent infinite exploration, challenges, and care for the future where new perceptions are expanded with latest technologies, spanning kinetics, interactive programming, AI computing and soundscape design, giving rise to new forms and content in terms of audiovisual, perceptual experiences.
Through collisions and fusion of the local/global, the traditional/contemporary, Polyphony reflects Taiwan’s diversity, inclusivity and scientific/artistic innovativeness. In the context of Ars Electronica, this curatorial project embedded particularly examines our changing position and role in the new era and how to maintain heterogeneous values in this ever-changing, fast-paced, and unpredictable global village in symbiosis.

By starting the content, you agree that data will be transmitted to www.youtube.com.
Data Protection Declaration

  • Cybernetics of Waterscape

    Po-Hao Chi (TW)

    Developed through fieldwork in Xizhi—a region shaped by a long history of flooding—the work explores the interconnections between water, memory, and perception. The installation creates a sensory environment of mist, sound, and hydrological narratives, prompting reflection on the trade-offs of urban development.

  • In the Abyss, Once Again as a Perceiver

    Yen-Tzu Chang (TW)

    Palo Santo is drilled in timed cycles and responds to viewers’ movement and position. Real-time weather data shapes its soundscape. Inspired by Nietzsche’s writings, the work explores the tension between human identity and Artificial Intelligence through scent, trauma, and machine presence.

  • Jane Writing Project

    Yu-Chuan Tseng (TW)

    “Jane” was the artist’s English name, given in childhood. Since 2018, she has created daily portraits based on Flickr images tagged “Jane.” In 2023, each portrait is uploaded to ChatGPT, which generates a story and a new image—revealing how algorithms shape the generative presence of “Jane.”

  • The lost limbo: Sister Lin-Tou

    MeimageDance TAIWAN (TW)

    In this VR journey inspired by the a Taiwanese folk tale, the dancer’s body expands into a vast performance space resembling flesh or intertwining like vines. Viewers are led into Sister Lin-Tou’s ghostly realm and encouraged to reflect on women’s social position in an age of human-machine interaction.

  • Tender Soul of Ocean: recall

    WHYIXD (TW), Kling Klang Klong (DE)

    In Tender Soul of Ocean: recall, WHYIXD collaborates with Berlin sound collective KLING KLANG KLONG to transform real-time wind data and visitors’ movements into shifting fields of light and sound. The work blurs the boundary between viewer and installation, inviting visitors to become co-creators of an environmental rhythm.

  • SUNFLOWER / BUTTERFLY ORCHID

    Chia-Hui Lu (TW)

    SUNFLOWER / BUTTERFLY ORCHID are multimedia performances exploring life, resilience, and hope. They use motion capture, 3D modeling, and real-time music recognition software to synchronize visuals. The works reflect the struggle for beliefs, love, and hope, while promoting peace, kindness, and cultural heritage.

  • Echoes of the Land (Multichannel Version)

    Ivan Liu (TW)

    Inspired by the seismological Spring-Block Model and combining real-time motion detection with IRCAM’s Granular Synthesis technology, this interactive installation that merges movement and sound to explore and redefine the evolving relationship between humanity and nature.

  • C-LAB Taiwan Sound Lab

    Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab (C-LAB) was initiated in 2018 by the Taiwan Living Arts Foundation of the Ministry of Culture. With “innovation” as its core concept, it aims to create an innovative experimental base for the future. Its Taiwan Sound Lab cultivates talents, develops and applies new technology of sound art, and innovates and produces cross-domain technologies. It also collaborates with various domestic and foreign institutions to explore new possibilities in technology and art.

Credits

Produced by Taiwan Living Arts Foundation C-LAB Taiwan Sound Lab (Funder: Ministry of Culture-Taiwan/Taipei Representative Office in Germany) | Head of Programming: Cécile HUANG | Project Manager: Huang Hsiao-Ting, Sylvie Lin, Vivian Shen, Suhan Yang | Sound Design: Hsieh Hsien-Te, Tsang Jing-Shiuan, Cheng Yung-Hsin, Wen Hung-Kai | Technical Support: Lai Wei-YU, Chiu Chao-Tsai | POSTCITY exhibition — Artists: Chi Po-Hao, Yen-Tzu Chang, Ivan Liu, MeimageDance, Yu-Chuan Tseng, HYIXD x Kling Klang Klong I Performer: Yu-Ting Tseng (dance) | DEEP SPACE performances — Artists: Chia-Hui Lu (also composer / pianist), Cicada, ULTRACOMBOS | “Sonic Saturday” at Anton Bruckner University — Composers / Artists: Chia-Hui Chen, Daniel Cheng, William Kuo, Li-Hsin Shyu, Chih-Yun Wang, Ping-Sheng Wu, XTRUX (Chiu Chen-En, Huang Yong-Jen, Li Jyun-Jyue, Su Po-Jui, Tseng Jun-Way) | Performers: Kai-Ting Chang (double bass), Bing-Hung Huang (saxophone), Li-Chin Li (sheng) | Lighting designer: Han-Sheng Lin