Fri, Mar 11 - Sun, Mar 20  2016

SXSW 2016 - Simon Heijdens "Silent Room"

From March 11-20, SXSW presents “Silent Room,” an installation by renowned Dutch artist Simon Heijdens. Find the essence of SXSW through its polar opposite. Silent Room by Dutch London-based artist Simon Heijdens is a space engineered to filter out any sound or color – a black hole right in the heart of the sensory overload that is South By Southwest. A 40′ long room that visitors walk through alone, excluded from any other visual or audible manifestation but themselves. Eventually, as ears and senses adapt, in the silence the visitor becomes the sound. The effect of the anechoic chamber has been described as ‘unbalancing’, ‘disconcerting’ and ‘hallucinative’ – it is said no person has ever been able to be more than 45 minutes. Experience the overwhelming sensation of absolute and complete silence – a rare, completely unmediated state of nothingness. Organized by SXSW, and developed by Simon Heijdens, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Texas and Auralex. Supported by Creative Industries Fund NL and Dutch Culture USA.

Open to Guest Pass, Wristband and SXSW Badge holders
12pm-10pm

About Simon Heijdens

Simon Heijdens (b.1978. Breda, The Netherlands)

Simon Heijdens’ site-specific installations are merging the narrative and the tangible, and explore the concept of coincidence to trace and reveal the hidden essence and character of the spaces that surround us in everyday life.

‘A marriage of intricate technology and natural processes’ such as his acclaimed projection works ‘Tree’ and ‘Lightweeds’ (site-responsive light projection, 2004) which have been exhibited and installed in over 50 public spaces, museums and galleries throughout Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia, including a one year exhibition of a three wall projection at the Permanent Collection galleries of the Museum of Modern Art New York in 2014/2015.

His works are represented in the permanent collections of MoMA New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, Boijmans van Beuningen Museum Rotterdam, the Victoria & Albert museum London, Fonds National d’Art Contemporain France, Israel Museum Jerusalem and Hong Kong City council, and it has been exhibited extensively across the world in museums such as V&A London, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow, Katara Art Center Doha and CAFA Beijing.

Commissions include Art Basel/Miami 2013 (the Perrier Jouet commission), Swarovski Crystal Palace 2006, Droog, Wallpaper Handmade and Contrasts Gallery Shanghai. Founded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 2002, his studio has been based in London, UK since 2005, where he lectured at the Royal College of Art from 2005 to 2010.

About the Creative Industries Fund NL

The Creative Industries Fund NL is a Dutch cultural fund that provides grants for innovative projects within design, architecture and e-culture. In addition, it stimulates crossovers with other cultural and social sectors. Commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Creative Industries Fund NL has an Internationalization Programme designed to strengthen the global reputation of the Dutch creative industry, build enduring networks and broaden the market. It is this Internationalization Programme that has made the exchange with the South by Southwest festival possible. The Creative Industries Fund NL is supporting 14 Dutch parties who are presenting their projects, products and ideas at SXSW 2016.

About SXSW

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery.  

Year after year, the event is a launching pad for new creative content. New media presentations, music showcases and film screenings provide buzz-generating exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for audiences. Conference panel discussions present a forum for learning, business activity thrives at the Trade Shows and global networking opportunities abound. Intellectual and creative intermingling among industry leaders continues to spark new ideas and carve the path for the future of each ever-evolving field, long after the events’ conclusion.