Unknown Language

Unknown Language is a research and performative project focusing on language as a conveyer (meaning) and form (expression), aiming to explore its role in shaping individual and collective identities through artistic and critical lenses.

Conceived by curator and voice artist Vittoria de Franchis, Unknown Language, echoes Hildegard von Bingen’s “Lingua Ignota”, suggesting the ambiguous and mysterious essence of language and the presence of countless languages (human and non-human, spoken and unspoken) tranposing words ‘out of words’ in the realm of open semantics.

Over 5 weeks, Unknown Language deployed as a residency at Refuge Worldwide presenting different approaches to 'voice in sound and voice as sound' by a series of voice artists and voice researchers through sonic compositions, conversations, readings and workshops.

The project was partially funded by the European Union and Goethe Institut and made possible thanks to the generous support of Refuge Worldwide’s team.