ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What does a shift key on a keyboard have to do with the physics of sound, or a DIY drum machine have to do with media archaeology? In this episode of Art-Sci Currents, host Nicia John sits down with Philippe-Aubert Gauthier, a mechanical engineer, sound artist and professor, to trace his path from bass guitar and private music lessons to a PhD in acoustics and vibration, and eventually to building his own instruments from scratch.
Philippe-Aubert discusses why he's drawn to the technological extremes of the very old and the very new. We talk about the hidden history embedded in the tools we use every day and why real interdisciplinary work means going deep in more than one field rather than staying comfortably in between.
Philippe-Aubert Gauthier - Guest
(Français -- for English, see below)
Philippe-Aubert est professeur à l'École des arts visuels et médiatiques de l’UQÀM, ingénieur mécanique, maître ès sciences et docteur en génie mécanique et en acoustique. Il travaille à la croisée des arts, sciences et technologies. Ses œuvres prennent des formes allant de l’installation, au son, au numérique à la performance et la musique. Il a produit plus d'une cinquantaine d'œuvres en arts sonores et numériques. Son travail a été présenté au Québec, au Canada, aux États-Unis, au Mexique, en France, en Angleterre, en Allemagne, en Corée et au Japon. Il fut directeur associé à la recherche artistique du Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music, Media and Technology (2019-2025). Il dirige présentement les programmes de premier cycle de l’École des arts visuels et médiatiques de l’UQÀM. Depuis 2003, il travaille aussi en duo avec Tanya St-Pierre. Leur pratique prenant alors la forme d’installations, de performances, de vidéos.
(EN)
Philippe-Aubert is a professor at the École des arts visuels et médiatiques at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). He is a mechanical engineer and holds both a Master of Science and a PhD in mechanical engineering and acoustics. His practice lies at the intersection of art, science, and technology. His works take a variety of forms, including installation, sound art, digital art, performance, and music. He has created more than fifty works in sound and digital art, which have been presented in Quebec, elsewhere in Canada, the United States, Mexico, France, England, Germany, Korea and Japan. From 2019 to 2025, he served as Associate Director of Artistic Research at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology. He is currently the director of undergraduate programs at UQAM’s École des arts visuels et médiatiques. Since 2003, he has also worked as a duo with Tanya St-Pierre. Their work takes the form of installations, performances and videos.
https://www.st-pierre-gauthier.com/
Read more about Philippe's work here: Blog
Nicia John - Host
Both a researcher and classically-trained ballet dancer, Nicia thrives at the intersection of science and art. Her explorations of motor memory, dance neuroscience and art-science interdisciplinarity have been shaped by international training and collaborations across Canada, the Caribbean, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Drawn to the undefined and the unexplored, she approaches discovery with curiosity and creativity as she prepares to begin her PhD studies in London. At the heart of her work is a growing vision for The Crearte Foundation, a non-profit she founded to support Art-Scientists and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Thanks for joining us on Art-Sci Currents, Season 2 Episode 6. You can learn more about our work and get in touch with us at www.crearte.ca/artscicurrents/season-2 Credits Host Nicia John Guest Philippe-Aubert GuthierProject Assistant Brune Bettler Audio & Video Production 1 Nicia John Video Editing 2 Nomena Ramanarivo Audio Editing 2 Andrea Gutierrez
