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Digital Direction (MA)

Shaye Thiel

"The Listening Effect" is a site-specific performance that utilises live sound transmission captured within the space, inviting participants to engage in the act of "listening to listening". Through the use of bone conducting headphones, the audience is encouraged to explore the perception of sound. The immersive experience takes place within a specially designed listening chamber, constructed with sound-absorbing materials and inspired by the unique curvatures of the human ear.

As this work is a site-specific performance between participant and machine, please visit www.shayethiel.com for more information.

Degree Details

School of CommunicationDigital Direction (MA)RCA2023 at Battersea and Kensington

RCA Kensington, Darwin Building, Lower-ground and Upper-ground floors

Black and white portrait of the artist, head rests on knee gazing to the left, wearing jeans and a black turtle neck

Shaye Thiel (she/her) is a London-based American-Canadian artist with work held in private collections across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany. In collaboration with leading neuroscientists, her current research explores the boundaries of sound perception for individuals who are hard of hearing and use hearing aids.

Based on lived experience, Shaye views sound as a participatory act via site-specific performative exchanges between participants and machine. Her work aims to transition the role of the public from observer to the observed via a deeper Quantum Listening.


Portrait by: Sharod Duncan @photos_by_sharod

Featured Image: Sung Hoon Song @sung_hoooon