Sound matters – Session 1 – What are we not hearing?

Serious Topics

As part of the "Noise State" exhibition, the Konschthal Esch presents Sound Matters, a series of Sunday afternoon gatherings dedicated to the importance of sound and listening. Each session combines a public conversation with guests and a shared listening experience. Together, we reflect on what we hear, what we ignore, and how listening shapes our perception of space, society, and others. The series explores how sound surrounds us, influences us, and sometimes overwhelms us—revealing that sound is not merely background noise but a powerful force in our experience of the world. Session 1 – What are we not hearing? This session will explore forms of listening that extend beyond our usual physiological, social, and political frequency ranges, questioning what escapes our attention yet shapes our experience of the world. The aim is to take listening beyond the familiar and recognizable to pay attention to sounds we often overlook or fail to recognize. The inaudible is not silence or simply noise, but rather refers to the layers of our environments and bodies that influence our perception of reality, even without our awareness. Through reflection and collective listening, the discussions invite the audience to explore what becomes audible when we shift our attention, opening our listening to other ways of perceiving the world.