TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary

Tarek Atoui

Tarek Atoui is a Lebanese artist and electroacoustic composer based in Paris, known for his innovative exploration of sound as a medium for shaping perception. Through dynamic installations, experimental acoustic environments, and collaborative performances, Atoui creates immersive, multi-sensory experiences. His practice involves working with composers, craftsmen, and communities worldwide to design and build complex instruments that double as striking sculptural objects. By testing the acoustic properties of materials such as bronze, water, glass, and stone, he uncovers unique ways in which these elements transmit and reflect sound.

Atoui’s work integrates custom-built electronic instruments and cutting-edge computer systems, often addressing contemporary social and political issues. By blending music, technology, and education, he highlights their power as tools for expression, identity, and connection. Collaboration and community engagement are at the heart of his practice, frequently inviting audiences to interact with and experience his installations firsthand. His works have been exhibited at major institutions globally, including the Serralves Foundation, Porto; Tate Modern, London; MCA Sydney; and the Venice Biennale. They are also part of prestigious collections such as the Tate Modern, the Guggenheim, and the Pinault Collection. Atoui’s interdisciplinary approach underscores his commitment to redefining sound and music as communal, transformative experiences. Tarek Atoui was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1980. Lives and works in Paris, France