Community Dinner and Lecture-Performance with Morten Riis

On Wednesday, April 22, we celebrate the annual Danish Science Day (Forskningens Døgn) in Struer with a cozy evening at Sound Art Lab.

The event is organized in collaboration between the Educational Initiative of Struer Municipality and Sound Art Lab, and features both a community dinner and an engaging lecture-performance by sound artist Morten Riis in ‘The Cube’- Bang & Olufsen’s renowned electroacoustic measurement facility.

PROGRAM

18:00–19:00
Join us for a community dinner in the Sound Art Lab kitchen (Peter Bangs Vej 17B, 7600 Struer). Per Fogsgaard will serve a delicious vegan stew. The dinner costs 45 DKK, and registration is required by sending an email to stine@soundartlab.org. Payment is made via MobilePay or cash upon arrival.

19:00–20:00
The evening continues in Kuben with a lecture-performance by Morten Riis titled “From Accelerated Times to Grounded Technology-Based Music.” Here, he presents an artistic exploration of the musical potential of the Earth’s electrical energy.

The presentation begins with an introduction to the historical and technical principles behind so-called earth batteries – a technology from the 19th century where electricity is generated through voltage differences between metals placed in the ground. This is followed by a live performance in which sound is created exclusively using this form of energy.

The music emerges through a direct interaction between earth, electronics, and performer, and is shaped by the soil’s moisture, composition, and local conditions. In this way, energy is not just a hidden infrastructure, but becomes an audible and performative material that shapes both sound and expression.

About Morten Riis

Morten Riis is a Danish sound artist, composer, and researcher working at the intersection of music, technology, and artistic experimentation. His practice often explores the interplay between analog and digital technologies, with a particular interest in the aesthetic potential of imperfections in machines and sound systems.

With a background in composition and electronic music, he combines theoretical inquiry with hands-on creation. His works have been presented internationally, and he also contributes to the academic field of sound art through publications and collaborations.

Photo credit: Jørgen Peter Kjeldsen