Royal Holloway, University of London collaborated with the Tate Modern, to showcase the creative power of physical and political movement.

Professor David M Howard explores voices with the Choir of Royal Holloway

From 16-18 May at the Tate Modern in London, staff and students from the departments of Electronic Engineering, Drama, Theatre and Dance, Geography, Modern Languages, and Music joined together to explore sound, dance and experimental art making over the course of three days.

The project, called Making Moves: Three Positions, explored different way in which humans move through spaces using their mind, body and voice.

With a specific focus on sound, Royal Holloway’s Department of Electronic Engineering showcased their work on the human voice and how interactions between people and vocalising as a group can change and manipulate it. 

Drawing on some clever technology developed through their research, with acrylic tube models of the vocal tract, the team delivered hands-on demonstrations to explore movements in voice production and explain how voices work.   

A choir, led by Professor David Howard, Head of the Department of Electronic Engineering also performed in the Tanks at the Tate Modern, where listeners were able to appreciate the acoustics of the space.

Professor Howard, said: “We’re really excited to be part of this interdisciplinary exhibition, and it showcases how the arts and sciences can work together to produce truly beautiful and thought provoking projects.

“Voice plays such a huge part in self-expression and communication, and we’re really keen to show people how exactly this works.”

Making Moves: Three Positions exhibition was hosted at The Tate Exchange from 16-18 May.