About

“Can you hear me?” (2021) is a sound exercise conceived by Sílvio Correia Santos from the theatrical performance ‘Vozes sem Conta’. It is part of the project Ouvir Vozes, a Marionet project in partnership with Movimento Ouvir Vozes Portugal, the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra and Rádio Aurora - A Outra Voz, from Júlio de Matos Hospital. It aims to artistically address the phenomenon of hearing voices that other people do not hear, portraying their meaning, sensory perception, changes throughout life, periods of crisis but also those of alternative, their place in a narrative of self, and exploring ways in which voices can act as important social, cultural and political forces.

“Can you hear me?” was born out of the words that multiple voices put together for this show and for this project. From a question that, in the midst of the 17209 words of the play's script, was able to disquiet the author of this installation. It is from this restlessness that this sound object is born. It is that which these sounds portray.

Author's Bio note

Sílvio Santos | Journalism Professor at Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra and investigator at CEIS20. Sílvio has a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences. His main research interests are radio and audio, disinformation, education, and, more recently, gender studies. He is currently working on several research projects, namely on broadcasting history, gender and technology, and mental health. He is a keen gardener, cook, and music lover. But his favourite thing to do is to get lost in the hills riding his bike.