Urbahne Künste Ruhr & Sound Practice Research
October 22 2026
Viehofer Platz 18, 45127 Essen
GRAND SNAIL TOUR – STATION #35
Urbane Künste Ruhr lud zusammen mit dem Sound Practice Research Kollektiv der Folkwang Universität der Künste, Prof. Jan St. Werner, Michael Akstaller, Prof. Dr. Norbert Palz, Franz Siebler, Studierenden der Universität der Künste Berlin sowie Tänzer*innen von Constanza Macras / Dorky Park zu einem großen gemeinsamen Klangerkundungsprojekt unter dem Titel HÖREN! ein.
The Sound Practice Research Kollektiv invited citizens of Essen to experience the public square Viehofer Platz as a starting point for a sonic exploration. Their focus is on the square’s architectural and situational conditions, which become perceptible through listening, sonic experimentation and electronic improvisation. Together with Norbert Palz and his class from the Berlin University of the Arts, and in collaboration with dancers from the international dance company Constanza Macras / Dorky Park, specially developed concrete forms called Urban Reflectors were positioned in public space, activated through sound and explored as reflectors and resonating bodies.
Together with guests, the Sound Practice Research Kollektiv presents a varied programme around Viehofer Platz. Using instruments, sound objects, portable microphones and the Urban Reflectors, participants activated the urban space and investigated its echoes, reflections and resonances. Open activities such as clapping and shouting invited visitors to take part, while field recordings, listening stations and sound experiments revealed new acoustic perspectives .
This tour stop made sonic practices directly accessible and invited visitors to rediscover Viehofer Platz as a participatory public space. In the evening, the exploration continued at Neue Musik Zentrale (NMZ) with a lecture by Norbert Palz and a collective listening session.
Fotos: Urbane Künste Ruhr/ Caroline Seidel & SPR
https://www.urbanekuensteruhr.de/en/grand-snail-tour/essen
