I Symposium on Sound Art in Tribute to the Artist and Researcher Rebecca Collins

• The event will be held at two venues: on November 19 at the Institute for Theoretical Physics, and on November 20 at the Institute of History.

• Lectures, listening sessions, and project presentations will explore the impact of Collins's work and her innovative approach to sound exploration.

“Escuchar / Pensar / Sentir”  is the title of this inaugural symposium dedicated to the life and work of Rebecca Collins, a renowned artist and researcher in the field of sound art and performance theory and practice. Organized by the Institute of History and the Institute for Theoretical Physics, both part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the event will take place on November 19 and 20 with free admission until seating is full.

Rebecca Collins (1982-2024) was recognized for her in-depth research on listening, performance, and sound studies, working at the intersection of the audible and the tangible. Her work explored the creative potential of uniting disciplines, bringing particle physicists and artists together around the concepts of uncertainty and collaboration in the pursuit of knowledge. A professor at the Edinburgh College of Art and a member of CSIC’s Visual Culture research group, Collins left a significant legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

The symposium will feature lectures, listening sessions, and project presentations that explore the impact of her work and her innovative approach to sound exploration.

Program

The event will take place at two venues:

November 19: Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT-CSIC) – Blue Room, C/ Nicolás Cabrera 13-15, Madrid

• 10:30 AM Welcome
• 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM Lecture: "Inhabiting Sound: A Landscape of Vibrant Bodies" by researcher Blanca Gutiérrez Lobato
• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Coffee break
• 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Listening session for Stolen Voices album by Rebecca Collins, with commentary by researcher Carmen Noheda
• 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM Presentation of Sonic Detection: Necessary Notes for Arts and Performance, a book co-authored by artistic researcher Johanna Linsley and artist Coco Moya

November 20: Institute of History (IH CCHS) – Menéndez Pidal Room, C/ Albasanz 26, Madrid

• 10:30 AM Welcome
• 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM Lecture: "Listening to Dark Matter" presented by physicist David Cerdeño
• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Coffee break
• 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Listening session for Energies: Not Forms, Not Figures by artist Miguel Álvarez-Fernández, with commentary by the artist
• 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM Conversation between Miguel Álvarez-Fernández, physicist Esperanza López Manzanares, and artistic researcher Johanna Linsley
• 1:30 PM Symposium closing

Event Coordinators:

• Carmen Gaitán (IH-CSIC)
• Blanca Gutiérrez (IH-CSIC)
• David Cerdeño (IFT-CSIC)
• Laura Marcos (IFT-CSIC)

Rebecca Collins: A Legacy in the Art of Listening and Performance

During her life, Collins was recognized for her multidisciplinary approach, exploring the potential of listening to transform artistic experience and critical knowledge. In 2021, her album Stolen Voices 001 was a finalist for the New Music Scotland Awards, and her first publication, Sonic Detection: A Polygraph, will be released in 2024 in collaboration with Johanna Linsley. Her work, celebrated by the University of Seville and the Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA), has influenced fields ranging from sound studies to contemporary critical theory.

This symposium is not only a tribute to her life and work but also an opportunity to engage with and discuss the ideas and perspectives Collins developed—a unique event for anyone interested in the intersections between art, science, and sound.

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