Nicola Giannini is an artist working in the field of immersive musical experiences, specializing in the composition of sound spaces. He explores the interplay between spaces, people and music. His artistic practice, predominantly sound-based, also incorporates elements of sculpture, choreography, and set design. Giannini is interested in both balances and ruptures and his aesthetic moves between the real and the abstract, the organic and the synthetic, the ritual and the surreal, intensity and lightness. He finds inspiration in the relationship between the unpredictability of nature and the human quest for control, a theme that permeates many of his works. By exploring the visceral aspects of sound, the artist aims to create experiences where listeners can almost touch the sound and feel completely immersed in it. His approach is based on ongoing research into the concepts of space and immersion, as well as spatialization strategies and technologies.
His works have been presented in North America, South America, Australia and Europe, featuring in events like Ars Electronica (Austria), Akousma (Canada), San Francisco Tape Festival (USA), TedXLondon (U.K.), File Festival (Brazil), Cube Fest (USA), and others. He received first prize at the 2019 JTTP competition organized by the Canadian Electroacoustic Community, the audience prize at AKOUSMAtique, the immersive music competition organized by Akousma (Canada), and an honourable mention at the 12th Fundación Destellos competition (Argentina). He was also a finalist in the Métamorphoses 2022 competition organized by Influx – Musiques & Recherches (Belgium) and the 2018 Città di Udine International Composition Competition (Italy). Originally from Italy, Giannini is completing a doctorate at the Faculty of Music at the University of Montreal, where he is also a research assistant at the Groupe de recherche en immersion spatiale (GRIS) and teaches electroacoustic composition, performance and sound installation.
Artistic Residencies
- Sporobole Centre en Art Actuel, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, May 2021.
- Guest Composer at Elektronmusikstudion EMS in Stockholm – 2017 July 24th to August 3rd. Thanks to the contribution of the Italian Culture Institute in Stockholm.
- Tempo Reale, research and production music center, Florence, Italy 2016 May to September.