Returning for a second edition, the CTM 2015 Radio Lab is dedicated to exploration and experimentation within the medium of radio. With a focus on the CTM 2015 – Un Tune theme, this year the Lab again hosts two projects commissioned by Deutschlandradio Kultur - Hörspiel/Klangkunst and CTM Festival, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, ORF musikprotokoll im steirischen herbst, Ö1 Kunstradio, and ICAS/ECAS – International Cities for Advanced Sound.

One of two winners of the CTM 2015 Radio Lab open call, Claire Tolan will present her work “Always Here for You: ASMR”, an installation that explores the sounds of ASMR as recreated through audio surveillance techniques, within the festival’s exhibition.

ASMR, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is a pleasurable, “tingling” sensation in the scalp and spine, provoked by soft sounds --- whispering, nail tapping, brushing. Christened in a Yahoo forum in 2008, and still considered a pseudoscience by the academy, ASMR has a devoted community of followers who find a home -- and post millions of videos – on YouTube. These videos, often with hundreds of thousands of views, are created both to trigger ASMR and to relax, soothe, and ease anxiety. The videos are role plays of hotel attendants, real estate agents, psychologists, spa treatments; hours of nails tapping and papers crinkling; affirmation videos.

Selected participants will perform one-hour solo ASMR sessions in “Always Here For You,” an ASMR installation that explores the sounds of ASMR as recreated through audio surveillance techniques. Participants will be responsible for the design and content of their sessions, though props can be provided. Participants will be required to attend a one-hour training session prior to CTM, likely in the third week of January.

Please send a brief explanation of why you'd like to participate, as well as your availability, to asmr@cst.yt. Applicants are welcome to perform several 1-hour sessions. Please specify your intended involvement in your email.

Application deadline : 17 January 2015.