Dr. Pia Van Gelder

Biography

Pia van Gelder is an electronic artist, researcher, and historian who investigates the historical and contemporary conceptions of energies that shape the relationship between technology, bodies, and the environment. Her historical research focuses on the influence of esotericism within electronic instruments throughout the 20th century, with her current project titled 'Energies Artists Say'. She collaborates with Professor Douglas Kahn to present methodologies for understanding the polyvalence of energies in artistic practices. Van Gelder's work has been showcased in various prestigious venues, including the Black Mountain College Museum in North Carolina, the Kyoto Art Centre, SuperDeluxe in Tokyo, and the Langgeng Art Foundation in Yogyakarta. She has been involved in performance festivals like Liquid Architecture and has curated events in artist-run initiatives. Van Gelder has a multifaceted practice, which includes designing and building electronic instruments and presenting works in interactive installation contexts. Her writing on sound and art has been published in academic journals, and she has authored chapters in significant publications relating to electronic music and art.

Research Interests