Sense Silence
Sense Silence invites you to explore your own experience of silence. Take a moment to pause and sense what silence feels like to you.
I have brought my own experience of silence into the gallery. I lived on an island in the Finnish archipelago for four years, and this experience has shaped my understanding of silence. It led me to wonder: Can silence be recorded, and can I convey my own experience of silence to an audience?
I am Paula Kangasniemi, a doctoral student at Aalto University’s Department of Art and Media, in Sound and New Media. My research explores the ecology of silence and asks: What is the experience of silence? I approach silence as a multisensory experience that involves much more than the absence of sound.
When
Where
In our events, we are committed to Aalto University’s principles for a safer space.
Meditation Workshop – 26 November, 13:00–15:00
I will offer an open meditation workshop in the gallery. Everyone is welcome to join. The workshop will be held in Finnish or English, depending on the participants’ preferences.
Sense Silence – Panel Discussion, 4 December, 9:15–11:30
I will chair a panel discussion exploring the experience of silence from different perspectives. The discussion brings together marine research, art and media, and research into music, mind and the brain.
Panelists
Okko Outinen
Marine Researcher, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke)
Heidi Fast
University Lecturer, Department of Art and Media, Aalto University
Pyry Heikkinen
Doctoral Researcher, Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain Research & Interaction Analysis Lab, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki
You are warmly welcome to pause, listen, sense and explore what silence means to you.
BRING AN EXPERIENCE OF SILENCE WITH YOU until 31.1.2027
Open Call for the Spring Exhibition – Submit your proposal by 31 January 2027
Exhibition: 7–21 April 2027 | BETA SPACE Gallery, Otaniemi, Aalto University
At the same time, I am launching an open call for the spring exhibition, Bring an Experience of Silence With You.
The open call is for all Aalto University students, regardless of their field of study, as well as university staff and friends.
I invite you to share your own experience of silence through art and/or science. The aim is to make your personal experience of silence accessible to others through an artwork or another creative contribution.
The form of the work is free. Please describe your idea clearly enough for me to understand what you would like to bring to the exhibition and how it could be presented in the gallery space. All submissions will be curated.
Submission deadline: 31 January 2027
Please see the open-call poster for the detailed submission guidelines.
Send your proposal to: paula.kangasniemi@aalto.fi
I am Paula Kangasniemi, a doctoral student at the Department of Art and Media, Aalto University. My research explores the experience of silence.
The exhibition is part of my doctoral research, and research data will also be collected in connection with the exhibition.