Winner of the Ivor Classical Award - Olivia Louvel

This week we are celebrating some fantastic news as the talented artist Olivia Louvel has been selected as the Winner of this years Ivor Classical Award in the Sound Art category.

This recognition is a testament to her exceptional work on The Auxiliary commission back in 2022, with her piece ‘LOL’ making waves at Middlesbrough Art Week last year.

LOL stands as a site-specific sonic intervention, skill-fully delivered through the public address system of Middlesbrough's CCTV surveillance network. At key locations in the town centre, passers-by were immersed in a unique auditory experience featuring political slogans, news headlines (eloquently narrated by the AI voice 'Kate'), and the sounds of protest. This three-part collage masterfully crafted by Olivia Louvel, in collaboration with Sound Art Brighton, captures and reflects the nuanced state of political affairs in contemporary Britain.

LOL has been hailed as a “site-specific sonic intervention, skill-fully delivered through the public address system of Middlesbrough’s CCTV surveillance network. Collaborating with Sound Art Brighton, Louvel crafted a compelling auditory experience that thoughtfully reflects the contemporary political landscape in Britain”

The sonic tapestry was further enriched by field recordings from Swiss artist Stefano Christen, and the collaborative production involved the expertise of Kersten Glandien. The result is a thought-provoking and immersive piece that goes beyond traditional boundaries, pushing the boundaries of sound art.

Olivia’s contributions are not limited to this award-winning piece alone as she is a key figure in the Sound Art Brighton initiative which is an independent platform that celebrates the vibrant presence of sound art in the UK.

We invite readers to join in celebrating Olivia's well-deserved success and the remarkable contributions she has made with ‘LOL’ in the world of sound art.