Join us for the PhD examination of School of Design candidate, Thierry Bernard.

2 - 4pm, Friday 19th September

More-Than-Noise: Listening with Saigon Soundscapes

The unfolding of this PhD reflects the transformation of Thierry's creative practice, shaped by close observation of Ho Chi Minh City’s (Saigon) soundscape and its unique relationship to noise. Coming from a heavy metal background and moving towards environmental sound practice, this research also traces a personal transformation.

The projects—field recordings, sound installations, performances, dérives, and site-responsive listening experiments—evolved through sustained engagement with urban and pre-urban peripheral noise, a subject that spans multiple disciplines. Reflecting on the totality of this practice-based research led to the emergence of four key concepts that frame his practice in relation to the city: Listening, Interior/Exterior, Verticality, and Thần (a Vietnamese term designating the spirit of the land).

Together, these concepts form the basis of the More-Than-Noise approach, Thierry's contribution to sound art and sound studies. More-Than-Noise reframes noise as an affective, cultural, and spatial event. It invites sound artists—and anyone interested—to engage with the complexity of urban sound by tuning into its multiple layers, contradictions, meanings, and energies.

Please note no entry will be permitted after commencement of this examination. Please aim to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Nina Next Space

Room: Next 250

180/1 Nguyễn Tất Thành

Phường 13, Quận 4,

Hồ Chí Minh