AUDIO GHOSTS
SYMPOSIUM

SYMPOSIUM

SYMPOSIUM

AUDIO GHOSTS: Illusive perceptions – Perceptual illusions

Towards a practice-based exchange between psychoacoustics and installative sound art

November 14-15, 2025

Fanny Hensel-Hall, mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
[Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna]

SP·CE Listening Gallery
[Billrothstraße 6/2, 1190 Vienna]

Two-day international symposium critically reflecting on the findings of the FW-PEEK art-based research project AUDIO GHOSTS to date, a practice-based exchange between psychoacoustics and sound art. Including the premiere of a new sound installation as well as discursive and artistic contributions. Together with experts from the fields of arts-based research, musicology, psychology, and sound art, we will reflect on the project in a broader context.

Including insights into the creative practice of the AUDIO GHOSTS team as well as invited guest artists and researchers:

  • Artists and Students of the University of Applied Arts Vienna (AG Guest Artist #3)
  • Barbara Barthelmes, Berlin (musicologist)
  • Kai Fagaschinski, Berlin (AG Guest Artist #4)
  • Bernhard Gál, Vienna (PI, AUDIO GHOSTS)
  • Christopher Haworth, Birmingham (AG Guest Artist #5)
  • Piotr Majdak, Vienna (Co-PI, ARI)
  • Richard Parncutt, Graz (music psychologist)

In cooperation with the Artistic Research Center, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and the Acoustics Research Institute (ARI), Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Symposium language: English.
Food and beverages will be provided.
Free admission.

AUDIO GHOSTS Symposium 2025_programme.pdf

AUDIO GHOSTS Symposium, November 14-15, 2025

PROGRAMME

Friday, November 14, 2025 @ mdw – Fanny Hensel-Hall
[mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna]

10:00 Welcome address | Artistic research glimpse 1
10:20 Bernhard Gál: An introduction to AUDIO GHOSTS
11:00 Artistic research glimpse 2
11:10 Piotr Majdak (ARI): Psychoacoustics behind auditory illusions
12:10 Artistic research glimpse 3
12:20 Christopher Haworth: Boundary Objects: Perceptual and epistemic slipperiness in WSS 
(weirdo sound synthesis)
– – –
14:30 Artistic research glimpse 4
14:40 Piotr Majdak (ARI): A composer’s tool kit for selected auditory illusions
15:50 Artistic research glimpse 5
16:00 Summary | Feedback Day 1

Friday, November 14, 2025 @ SP·CE 
[Billrothstraße 6/2, 1190 Vienna]
 
18:00-21:00 Christopher Haworth: Demonstrations – sound installation (opening)
 
Saturday, November 15, 2025 @ mdw – Fanny Hensel-Hall
[mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna]
 
10:00 Artistic research glimpse 6
10:10 Barbara Barthelmes: Sound art and the aesthetics of illusion
11:00 Artistic research glimpse 7
11:10 Richard Parncutt: Virtual pitches as auditory ghosts
12:00 Open discussion | Recap
 
Saturday, November 15, 2025 @ SP·CE 
[Billrothstraße 6/2, 1190 Vienna]
 
18:00-21:00 Christopher Haworth: Demonstrations – sound installation 
 
Further presentations: November 16-19, 2025, 6-8 pm