Tonotopia: Listening Through Cochlear Implants

‘Tonotopia: Listening Through Cochlear Implants’ is a series of works developed by artist and composer Tom Tlalim during his residency at the V&A. through dialogues with users of Cochlear Implants (CI). Tlalim invited six CI users to the V&A to participate in co-designing sound art for bionic ears. The conversations revealed a huge diversity of experiences before and after the implant surgery and following the pivotal moment when the CI devices were switched on. The works on show include filmed interviews alongside objects donated by the participants and sound art created in response to the research.

The exhibition was first shown at the V&A between October 2018 and June 2019.

Participating CI users: Stephen Bell, Rachael Cunningham, Seohye Lee, Chris Peecock, Edward Rex, Sarah Smith.

Artistic team: Ariel Caine (Cinematography), Dror Shohet (Editing and Cinematography).

Co-curated by Tom Tlalim with Leanne Manfredi and the V&A design team.

Special thanks to V&A curator Rory Hyde, Prof. David Furness, Prof. Maria Chait (UCL), Prof. Mara Mills (NYU) and Chen Wagner.Acoustic solutions by Ecophon.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and in collaboration with Action on Hearing Loss.