Tactology Lab
In Lab 3 we aimed to combine performative audiovisual practices with creative technology and artisanal production, where a craft is incorporated in performance, prototype fabrication process or both.
2025 — Lab 3: craft
Manouk Hasebos,
Ilya Tokareva,
Tijmen Lohmeijer,
Alec Gordon,
Malou ter Horst,
Andrej Antonič,
Olaf Wisselink,
Livia Ribichini,
Sue Kim,
Britt van den Boogaard,
Lux Nautilus,
DuctTape Collective
Participants Lab 3
Theme: Craft
An artisan can be seen as a blend of a craftsperson and an artist: someone skilled in creating objects—whether artistic or functional—partly or entirely by hand. This craftsmanship can extend beyond traditional forms, applying to a musician crafting or modifying their own instruments, a performer designing their own costumes, or a designer creating their own tools. Artisanal technology, then, involves viewing technology through the lens of an artisan's deep, embodied knowledge. Like a skilled musician, an artisan possesses an intimate understanding of the tools and materials they work with, and constant involvement of the hands in the process is key.
In this Tactology Lab, the starting point to make an instrument is the combined existing knowledge within the groups of a craft and electronics, and builds towards contextualizing this in an audiovisual performance. This can be achieved by using the craft in the fabrication process, or embedding the act of the craft within the performance directly. We are not teaching a craft or a technology, but rather starting from the knowledge within the mixed groups, and guiding this towards a performance where craft, technology, sound and performance are on equal footing.
Since 2021 we organize the so-called Tactology Lab, a multiple-day structured program that brings artists and creators together to explore new ways of (tactile) interaction with electronics.
We believe that expression through tactile electronics can amplify a personal, visible, rousing performance experience, enhancing a strong connection between performer and audience. With Tactology Lab, Sounds Like Touch provides a unique learning space, basic materials and coaching by professionals.
The program fosters the exchange between (local) professional artists and designers, collaborating on new tangible electronic ways of expression for a performance context: either live on stage or in an exhibition setting.
Additionally, the creative processes and the results will be shared via an online platform to provide an international stage to local makers.
About Tactology Lab
Lab 1: Exchange
at Gaudeamus Festival 2021, Utrecht
Lab 2: Perform
at Rewire festival 2022, The Hague
Lab 3: Craft
at Rewire festival 2025, The Hague