Doctoral project by Miruna Gheordunescu, Doctoral School, Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław.
‘Vibrational ontology. Study on the relation of sound, body movement, and space within electronic music performances.’ – Miruna Gheordunescu
The artistic purpose of Miruna Gheordunescu Doctoral Project is to explore and present the documentation of vibrational phenomena as how it relates to the space around us. The research is centered on the movement of the human body within the context of club culture, approached from the perspective of a DJ and performer.
Through this lens, the project aimed to produce both visual and audio documentation that can be accessed by diverse audiences, allowing them to experience and engage with research grounded in vibrational ontology and the human connection to sound.
The concept of ‘Vibrational ontology’ talks about how sound and music are not isolated phenomena but integral components of a broader vibrational field that shapes our experience of space. These elements cannot be fully understood in isolation; rather, they emerge through their interaction. Within this framework, vibration is closely related to rhythm as a structuring force. The project investigates how the interconnected relationship between body, space, and sound can be studied and articulated by the artist, contributing to a deeper understanding of presence, perception, and connection within contemporary environments.
Vibrational Ontology – Monolith Installation (Bulvary Gallery, Wrocław, 2025)
Study on the relation of sound, body movement, and space within electronic music performances.
The work exhibited consists of a 2.5 meter steel monolith equipped with exciters and touch sensors, designed to translate vibration into a tactile and sonic experience. The exhibition integrates a 42-minute video composed of documented interviews with DJs and producers, embedding their voices within the resonant space. Functioning simultaneously as sculpture, sound system, and research device, the exhibited installation invites the audience to listen, feel, and interact, positioning perception as an active, embodied process.
Overall, the artistic aim of the installation is to translate club-based experience into a visual art context, making vibrational intensity accessible beyond nightlife environments. In this way, vibration is approached not only as a physical phenomenon but as a way of understanding how body, sound, and space relate. The installation shifts focus from representation directly to experience, inviting audiences to engage with vibration as something felt and shared.
The development of this project was supported by several people whose contributions influenced both the technical realization and conceptual refinement of the work.
Dr hab. Magdalena Grzybowska – supervision and valuable guidance throughout the conceptual and practical development of the project.
Dr Marcin Rupociński, support and consultation in the integration of sound within the installation, through the Media Art Department.
Mgr Marcel Oleszczak, technical support and guidance in the construction of the steel structure within the metal studio.
Engineers: Marcin ‘Zenek’ Jaskolski & Maciej J. Bowszys contribution to the development of the interactive touch-sensor system and technical problem-solving during the realization process.
DJs, producers, and organizers participation in the interview series, whose insights significantly contributed to the conceptual depth of the project.
Video documentation:
https://youtu.be/c_4Ip-EEFos?si=HEkJc2uObXLsNST9
