Absonus Lab

Name of organisation

Absonus Lab

Country

Portugal

Organisation website

www.absonuslab.org

Contact person

General communications Hugo Paquete [email protected]

Organisation type

Cultural nonprofit organization.

Scale of the organization

Small

PIC number

883415958

Aims and activities of the organisation

Absonus Lab is a non-profit association based in Estarreja, Portugal, established in 2022 to serve as a laboratory for sound art and computer music. Dedicated to fostering transdisciplinary dialogue, Absonus Lab integrates research, art, technology, and science to develop knowledge through experimental theoretical and practical meta-methodologies. Our approach positions sound as a fundamental element within a technocultural and intercultural ecosystem, emphasizing interdisciplinarity and innovation. 

Our mission is to advance creative production, dissemination, and critical discourse in the fields of sound arts, digital media art, computer music, experimental electronic performance, and related practices performative practices. By situating our work within contemporary knowledge networks, we strive to contextualize these disciplines in broader cultural, social, and technological frameworks.

Absonus Lab is committed to creating impactful projects and fostering collaboration at both local and international levels. Through partnerships with institutions such as the University of the Algarve and the CIAC (Communication Sciences and Arts Research Center), as well members in the Anna Lindh Foundation and EMAP (European Media Art Platform), we amplify our ability to contribute to global networks of interdisciplinary innovation. These affiliations enable us to engage deeply with diverse communities, promote cross-cultural collaboration, and expand the reach of our artistic and academic endeavors.

Our vision positions Absonus Lab as a hub for experimental exploration, where sound intersects with technology to address the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving creative landscape.

Role of the organization in the project

Coordinator

Previous EU grants received

None - First time applicant

Sector or field

Performing arts, Contemporary music, Sound art, Digital Art, NGOs, Festivals, Curators, Science, Residence, Technology and Art interested in experimental cross disciplinary art formats.

Description or summary of the proposed project  

Echoing Tides is an initiative committed to documenting, preserving, and reinterpreting the ecological and cultural heritage of the European Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines through sound, performance, and digital art, with a particular emphasis on the dynamic relationship between land and water.

The project aims to investigate sustainable practices within the blue economy. This initiative encompasses a diverse array of artistic expressions, including computer music, sound art, field recordings, performance, and digital art. It also encourages the use of advanced technologies such as CO₂ data analysis, environmental hacking, light-to-sound transformations, hydrophone recordings, and AI data analysis. These approaches are intended to reveal the geological and human forces that shape the landscape, emphasizing how coastal boundaries are continuously affected by both natural processes and human activities.

Echoing Tides seeks to engage the public, enhance cultural preservation, and promote sustainable environmental management, aligning with both local and European goals. The project will explore the concept of endophysics: the world as a interface, such as fluidity, erosion, electromagnetism, impermanence, and resilience, drawing inspiration from these concepts, refleting how observations are affected and limited by the observer being within the universe. By weaving these themes together with oral histories from local communities and geological and electromagnetic data, the initiative aims to create innovative artistic projects that reflect both the material and immaterial dimensions of the environmental spectrum.

As a protected area, the European Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines serve as a living laboratory for developing strategies that balance cultural preservation with ecological restoration, while also exploring speculative narratives about a technology-driven future.
The initiative aspires to connect with other European regions facing similar challenges, particularly along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, to establish a fluid network of knowledge and artistic collaboration. We are seeking partners for this project, including artists, environmental scientists, cultural organizations, and academic institutions, to cultivate a unified approach to cultural and environmental innovation related to water across Europe. With its focus on sustainability, artistic innovation, and cross-border collaboration, Echoing Tides exemplifies how cultural heritage, ecological stewardship, and technological advancement can converge to address the pressing challenges of our time.

Partners currently involved in the project

UAlg: Universidade do Algarve.

CIAC: Centro de Investigação em Artes e Comunicação.

From country or region

All Creative Europe Participating countries (preference to the ones along the Mediterranean and Atlantic costs).

Preferred field of expertise

Engage individuals, artists, and institutions dedicated to artistic research and practice in contemporary music and sound art, particularly in digital art and performance.

Please get in contact no later than

15/02/2025