Kurina Sohn

PROJECT

This residency presents an exciting chance to grow my artistic practice, which explores the relationship between speech rhythmicity and brain activity and has the potential to rhythmic processing in animals may offer insights into the evolution of language; it aligns perfectly with my current independent research in brain activity with EEG sensors while being in meditation, rethinking our cognitive connection and blending artificial intelligence (AI). The residency is ideal for further developing my artistic practice within this interdisciplinary framework.

The beauty of understanding language and brain activity lies in uncovering what feels invisible. During my 21 years living abroad, having learned multiple languages since childhood, I realized that language is more than a tool for communication, it evolves, intertwining culture and history. For this residency, I aim to explore a speculative future by envisioning how human language could expand, merging with the linguistic behaviors of animals. My project will examine the potential intersections between these forms of communication, projecting new possibilities for the evolution of language. In my previous research on meditation and brainwaves, I was fascinated by how generational knowledge is passed down and how individuals develop through practice. This resonates with my current exploration of language evolution.

For this residency, I plan to explore how future communication might evolve by bridging human and non-human linguistic behavior. Using cognitive science, I will reflect on how our brains process and adapt language. My project envisions a hopeful future where communication expands across species, aided by emerging technologies like neural interfaces. The work will culminate in a Futuristic Speculation installation that visualizes animal vocal rhythms, offering a cross-species study of vocal patterns. Collaborating with scientists and using recorded data will foster a rich exchange between artistic and scientific research.

This interdisciplinary approach will create new narratives and innovative ways to understand language as both a biological and technological phenomenon. The residency’s focus on merging art and science is an ideal platform to explore these themes, and I look forward to contributing my artistic vision to this exciting dialogue.

BIOGRAPHY

Kurina Sohn, a multidisciplinary designer from Korea, resides and creates in Amsterdam. Her work delves into the extraordinary, exploring diverse realms, life forms, and narratives that transcend the ordinary. Grounded in comprehensive research, her projects employ a poetic approach to offer fluid and inclusive interpretations of modern realities. Utilizing tools and technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital fabrication, she infuses her creations with a deep theoretical understanding of these transformative elements, ranging from collectible design to immersive installations. Constantly pursuing innovation, Kurina remains committed to challenging societal norms and expanding the boundaries of design.

Kurina has participated in residencies, received grants, and exhibited her work internationally at venues such as Ars Electronica(Linz,AT), Z33 (Hasselt, BE), V2_Unstable Media (Rotterdam, NL), IMPAKT(Utrecht, NL), Het Nieuwe Instituut (Rotterdam, NL), Dutch Design Week, COLLECTIBLES, Alcova, Schloss Hollenegg for Design (Hollenegg, AT), the Museum of Applied Art and Design (Vilnius, LT), and Vienna Design Week. She is a lecturer in Crossmedia Design at AKI ArtEZ and has co-initiated a fluid Asian collective called NeeNee Collective.