Multisensory Perception and Synesthesia

Synesthesia means the capability of the perceptual system to induce perception within one sensual modality by stimulation of a different sensual area. Similar phenomena are pronounced at relatively few individuals, but show a characteristic permanence. Often, the phenomenon of visual perception caused by auditory stimulation is described as color(ed) hearing. In principle, synesthesia can occur between all senses. Such connections are also observed within one sensory space. In that manner, numbers and letters can get an additional color during a process of visual perception or imagination. 

Applications in the Arts and Design

My papers and artwork mentioned on this website illuminate phenomena of synesthesia, but also consider the widespread capabilities of cross-sensory connections via correspondences, associations/iconicity, multi-sensory symbolism and conscious generation of rules (e.g. with reference to physical parameters or algorithms). This enables development of numerous fields of application, like sound design and perception of soundscapes, multi-sensory design of products and interfaces, virtual environments, correlation of music and the fine arts, musical acoustics, and many others. 

Recent Publications (Excerpt)

Klangfarbenvariabilität historischer Flöten. Untersuchungen zur instrumentenbedingten Variation von Ton zu Ton. Akustik Journal 01/26, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akustik DEGA, 7-22.    https://doi.org/10.71568/aj2026.01.01

The challenge of multisensory and synaesthetic design. Proc. VIII International Congress “Synaesthesia: Science and Art,” October 23-25, 2025, Alcalá la Real/Spain. Granada: Fundación Internacional Artecittà, 2025, 346-355

Is there a consistent effect of cross-fingering on the timbre of recorders? Proceedings of DAS|DAGA 2025. Berlin: DEGA e.V., 2025, 637-40

Influence of the key played on the timbre variation of recorders. Proc. forum acusticum 2023, 10th Convention of the European Acoustics Association, Turin, Italy.

Scope and limits of synaesthetic arts. Proc. VII International Congress “Synaesthesia: Science and Art” *The digital / physical challenge* Oct 26-29, Granada & Alcalà la Real/Spain, 2022, 241-50

How can we approach the topic of the tone-to-tone timbre variability of historical instruments? Proc. Mtgs. Acoust. 49, 035005 (2022)  https://doi.org/10.1121/2.0001660Verfahren zur auditiven und visuellen

Darstellung der Klangfarbenvariabilität historischer Flöten. TIBIA, Portal für Holzbläser. Celle: Moeck, 2022     Text

The Role of the Iconicity of Sound within the Multisensory Environment. Vibrations in Physical Systems, 2022, 33(1), 2022106. DOI: 10.21008/j.0860-6897.2022.1.06

Authentische Gestaltung – Messung der assoziativen Qualität von Designelementen und Oberflächen. QZ-online.de, München: Carl Hanser Verlag, 2022.

Eine Alpensinfonie. Synästhetische Kunst zur sinfonischen Dichtung von Richard Strauss. AXON, Newsletter der Deutschen Synästhesie-Gesellschaft, 01/2022,  8-9.

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