Composing modes of perceiving Through the use of 14 experiential dimensions.

Masterclass at ERRANT SOUND, BERLIN 18 December 2021

By looking at fourteen modes of experience, of which ‘hearing’ is one, Victorine van Alphen will look into shaping different states of perception. By viewing each mode of experience as an instrument within a sensorial orchestra, Victorine explores how complex experiences can be composed and can significantly influence the overall experience of an exhibited art work. 

Three key elements of the experience of a work of art that are examined, are ‘entering’, ‘being with’ and ’exiting/emphasizing’. From her own artistic practice with virtual reality, Victorine emphasizes the  importance of the environment outside of the vr glasses with at least as much weight as what happens inside: “For an experience, everything is important since you can never switch of your senses, if the work is audio, you still have your eyes, if the work is visual your still have your touch, every experience is therefore ‘meta-sensorial’ or in other words, an emergent entirety of the different elements.” In the context of her workshop at Errant Sound, she focusses on the state of embodiment of the listener/experiencer. 

“The question now is how to become more aware of all the elements and still be focussed, composing or choreographing the experiencer to travel through your work with all senses focussed/employed in a way that emphasized your artistic aims”

Workshop participants are encouraged to think and experiment together, to investigate how their own artistic practice can be more directed as well as more inclusive of different experiences.

A note to the participants: 

You are welcome to introduce something you are currently working on: from vague ideas to advanced projects. Your project will be discussed and analyzed using the fourteen dimensions of experience, which will usually create a lot of inspiring ideas and new perspectives form yourselves and others on your work in progress. The question she will address in the workshop is how to become more aware of all the elements and still be focussed, composing or choreographing the experiencer to travel through your work with all senses focussed/employed in a way that emphasized your artistic aims.