In an experimental approach, Museum Tinguely has been exploring the realm of the human senses through its thematic exhibitions since 2015. Under the title À bruit secret/Les témoins oculistes, the third interdisciplinary conference took place in March 2024. This volume brings together selected contributions from the symposium alongside additional texts from art and cultural history, anthropology, history, neuroscience, psychology, biology, and ecology. The essays address selected fields of research surrounding the senses of hearing and sight, combining fascinating perspectives at the intersection of art and science.

The scope of the texts ranges from Marcel Duchamp's acoustic and optical experiments and the phenomenon of synesthesia as dual perception, to the sound of the oceans, the ecological impact of light pollution, the psychological and societal power of colors, and the perception of noise in pre-modern times. A multifaceted compendium that invites readers to discover and critically question art, nature, and the environment through completely new eyes and ears.

Museum Tinguely houses the world’s largest collection of works by the artist Jean Tinguely (1925–1991). Based on Tinguely’s imaginative universe, Museum Tinguely proposes a diverse exhibition programme that always seeks topical dialogue with other artists and artforms. A programme which addresses socially relevant issues of our time and offers an interactive experience that appeals to all of the senses.