”Improvisation is a way of finding meaning in the world”, says sound artist Tarek Atoui
The Lebanese-born artist’s works transcend borders – between countries, disciplines, and even senses.
“Improvisation can transform our experience of both art and life. It invites us to open up – to other people, to materials, to sounds, and to our senses,” says Tarek Atoui, the Lebanese-born sound artist and composer.
Now based in Paris, Atoui is internationally renowned for his experimental soundscapes and performances built on global collaboration. His works have been presented at, among others, the Venice Biennale and Tate Modern. In September, he will give a lecture on his art at Dance House Helsinki as part of the Saastamoinen Keynote in Arts lecture series.
Atoui explains that his lecture in Helsinki will be a multi-sensory presentation, combining video, photography, and improvisation. The audience is not merely invited to listen and watch – but also to feel, interpret, and engage.
Improvisation is an inseparable part of Atoui’s practice.
“There will be examples of my earlier works, but also improvisation inspired by the moment of the performance itself,” he says.
In the lecture, Atoui will explore his artistic process, including his most recent exhibition Improvisation in 10 Days, which was on view earlier this year at Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan. The exhibition’s installations responded to shifts in the acoustic environment, as well as to the actions and presence of visitors. Atoui notes that improvisation was used as a method in building the exhibition itself.
For Atoui, improvisation is a means of connecting with others – and a way to understand the world. In his work, it serves as a bridge between the personal and the political, the individual and the collective.
“It’s about rediscovering things – and opening up to joy and the unexpectedness of life.”
He describes improvisation as a way of orienting oneself toward the world. According to Atoui, improvisation isn’t confined to art – it occurs constantly in our everyday lives. He believes it’s something we all do, whether consciously or not.
“People improvise all the time – with family members, while moving from place to place, when planning schedules, or even when cooking,” he says.
International collaboration increasingly important
Atoui’s sound art is also characterized by his work in spaces that emerge between boundaries. He collaborates with people from a wide range of fields – including educators, researchers, visual artists, and musicians.
According to Atoui, the importance of international collaboration is increasingly evident in today’s world, which is marked by conflict, fragmentation, and polarization.
“Recent world events have created more and more borders. And they are not only physical – they also hinder the movement of ideas, knowledge, and creativity.”
He believes that international collaboration is now more crucial than ever, as it enables a more multifaceted understanding of the world. For Atoui, improvisation is the tool through which cross-border connections can be built.
Atoui says he aims to resist fixed meanings in his art. His works are intended to live and move within space – to evolve and take shape across boundaries.
“I’ve never wanted people to experience my work in just one specific way,” he emphasizes.
“It’s about opening doors – guiding people toward personal reflection, shared questions, and new relationships with others and with the world.”
Atoui describes creativity as a continuous process. For him, inspiration isn’t tied to any particular place; he finds it everywhere – while on the road, in the studio, on the street, or at home.
“The creative process never stops. That’s its beauty.”
Saastamoinen Keynote in Arts: Tarek Atoui
Dance House Helsinki, Cable Factory, September 17, 2025, starting at 5 PM. Free entrance.
In collaboration with the Saastamoinen Foundation and the Uniarts Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts