Sébastien Robert Arrives at Artica Svalbard with Radio Astronomer Rob Stammes

left: Sébastien Robert, right: Rob Stammes, photo: Tom Warner

Artica Svalbard welcomes artist and researcher Sébastien Robert, who has arrived in Longyearbyen for a residency this dark season. Sébastien is joined by radio astronomer Rob Stammes, with whom he will collaborate on the project ‘The Lights Which Can Be Heard’.

Sébastien Robert (b. 1993, Nantes, FR) is an interdisciplinary artist whose work focuses on sound and visual art, science, and technology. His project in Svalbard aims to capture the sounds of the Northern Lights using specialised recording equipment. This research is part of his broader exploration of sonic phenomena and their relationship to the Arctic environment.

Rob Stammes is a radio astronomer based in Lofoten, Norway, with expertise in monitoring Earth's electromagnetic activity, including auroral phenomena. His background informs the technical approach to the project. Together, Robert and Stammes will work to document auroral sounds and engage with the local community to gather personal accounts of hearing the Northern Lights.

Residents of Longyearbyen are invited to attend a presentation and discussion on the project this evening. The event will include an overview of the collaboration and an opportunity for attendees to share their own experiences of hearing auroral sounds.

The Lights Which Can Be Heard: Have You Heard the Sound of the Aurora?
Tuesday, 3 December 2024 | 18:00 – 19:30
Artica Svalbard, Longyearbyen

The event will be hosted in English, is free to attend, and requires no prior booking.

Sébastien’s residency is supported by Amarte Fonds, Institut Français, and the Mondriaan Fund.