Our Impact

Ars Electronica 2026: Alternative Frequences

September 9-13, 2026
Exhibition on View

University of Arts Linz, Hauptplatz 8 (West Building)
Linz, Austria

On its fourth participation in the ARS Electronica Campus Exhibition, VCUarts Qatar is pleased to present Alternative Frequencies. Organized by the Gallery, Alternative Frequencies brings together four experimental projects to explore how meaning, perception, and communication are altered through translations across media.

Each project employs a unique strategy in this exploration: in Chromesthesia visual information is reencoded as sound, offering an interactive experience in which visitors “hear” color; in Ephemeral Sounds of the Gulf biomaterials reimagine the sonic and temporal profile of vinyl records, introducing new tonal possibilities while reducing ecological impact; in Bloom a digitally fabricated mechanical sculpture accelerates the natural rhythms of blooming flowers, examining frequency as both a natural and constructed phenomenon; and, in Corporeal Resonance a gesture-based synthesizer makes music from movement, positioning the human body as an instrument and interface between physical and digital output.

Across these works, Alternative Frequencies highlights how phenomena can be amplified and extended through transpositions between forms—visual to sonic, organic to synthetic, analog to digital. Rather than displacing native signals, these projects multiply information across several registers simultaneously, creating layered communication systems that are more inclusive, adaptive, and resonant. Together, they propose that the future of creative practice lies not in any single mode of expression, but in the dynamic interplay and harmonies between them.

For more information on visiting the Ars Electronica Exhibition

Projects

Bloom: Inspired by Nature

Wan Ardini Wan Edrin, Anastasia Marinova, Zaid Abueisa, Noura Sharaf, Fatima Nazir, Abdul Rahman Anwar, Shawky Abdalla, Jood Elbeshti, Rab McClure

Bloom consists of a two-part stem, within which a central moving element is vertically actuated by a programmed motor. As this component rises and falls, integrated rack gears engage with pinion gears located at the base of a series of parametric petals, each set designed by a different student, using a generative lattice-building tool. The project thus embodies a collaborative exploration of motion, structure, and parametric form through computational design and mechanical articulation.

Special Thanks: xLab (Levi Hammett, Martin Juras, Lana Abou Selo), MFA Faculty (Marco Bruno, Giovanni Innella, Stella Colaleo, Reema Abu Hassan)

Chromesthesia

Mayar Ahmed

Chromesthesia explores the question: “What does color sound like?” and makes sure everyone gets to find out. Visitors paint with red, green, blue, and yellow markers while a camera translates each color into distinct sound—more color means louder sound. Other ways to engage include colored tiles that layer sounds by placing tiles to create musical shapes. Designed inclusively with Braille, voice buttons, and color identifiers for blind, color-blind, and deaf-blind visitors.

Corporeal Resonance: Experimental Interactive Sound

Camerin McManus

Corporeal Resonance is an interactive synthesizer using VCV Rack. It uses modulation through physical body movements such as: mouth openness, head tilt, and hand movements. The synth is modulated by an open-source program called FACEWAVE, which connects to cameras and webcams. It aims to create an audio interface that is accessible, along with giving the user creative control. This project ultimately explores how the physical body, in tandem with technology, can manipulate sound.

Ephemeral Sounds of The Gulf

Shawky Abdalla, Hala Amer, Star Prieto, Yasamin Shaikhi, Yasmeen Suleiman, Ayza Sheikh, Erika Tsuchiya

This project explores the ephemerality of sounds in the Gulf region through biomaterials and raises awareness of both the environmental implications of plastic pollution as well as an overly digitized world. Seeking the ephemerality of sounds and its physical longevity, the project tackles how some art is not meant to last, and how that may change the meaning and value of it. Intertwining the fragility of life and human creation, expressed through alternate forms of homemade vinyl records.

Quick Links