About
Asalaus (Ása Önnu Ólafsdóttir, she/her, b. 2000) is a sound artist, musician and composer hailing from Reykjavík, Iceland. Her practice focuses on the relationship between object and sound. She frequently uses magnetic material such as tape in her work and material often guides the process and determines the outcome of a piece. As a composer and musician, she works with graphic notation, extended techniques and integration of live electronics, and has released a few albums, both as Asalaus and as a member of the bands Ateria and Gaffer Ensemble. Ása’s works have been commissioned, exhibited and performed widely in Europe and America. She holds an MFA in sound art from Columbia University.
My practice is driven by a curiosity of sound and hardware technology as I work in the intersection of music and sound art. In my work I follow my curiosities of how things are made, such as a piece of technology, instruments, glaze, paint, everyday objects… anything that attracts my attention. My background in music focuses my work through the lens of audio technology, whether in the form of music or of sculpture.
Currently, I am captivated by the world of electromagnetic coils and all their applications. Coils are found in many sorts of audio equipment, including speakers, microphones, tape machines, radio receivers, guitar pickups…I’m fascinated by their simplicity and versatility. In the modern age of computers, that to most people work in a mysterious and hidden way, we sometimes loose this connection to the function of an object and an understanding of it. Coils are usually hidden inside its pertinent equipment, so I’m interested in working on sound sculptures where the viewer can see and sort of understand how the technology works, and where the technology can be used in a different context than the one of a commercial audio device. These sculptures are meant for both a sound installation and instruments for performance.
As a composer and musician I try to zoom in on the instruments’ textures and bring them out front. I like to play with those textures combined with electronics and the performer’s interaction with the sound and the score. I work mainly with graphic notation when writing a score, which allows for a closer collaboration with the performer and a different focus and listening. Analog media often makes an appearance in my pieces, especially tape machines since I like the physical representation and manipulation of sound. When making music for myself as a performer, improvisation is at the centre. My main instrument is the electric guitar and I experiment with applying effects to the instruments as well as putting objects on the strings and using a bow. Experimenting with recording technology is an important part of my practice as well.
In conclusion, my work explores the connection between sound and the visual, the origin of sound, and the perception of it.
Asalaus 