WAVES · LIGO 10th Anniversary
World premiere
Tenth anniversary of the first detection of gravitational waves
LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration
Griffin Concert Hall, Colorado State University
8 September 2025
ABOUT THE WORK
WAVES is a site-specific sound work built from gravitational-wave data recorded by the international LIGO scientific community. Black hole collisions and neutron star mergers are translated into a spatialised, immersive soundscape for live performance, bridging sonification, electro-acoustic composition and deep listening.
It premiered as part of the official celebrations marking ten years since the first detection of gravitational waves, a discovery recognised with the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics.
DEVELOPMENT
Self-initiated and developed outside institutional commissioning pathways, WAVES draws on nearly a decade of independent research and collaboration with LIGO scientists Susan Scott (Australian National University), Mark Favata (Montclair State University) and Rob Coyne (University of Rhode Island).
ARTIST STATEMENT
“For nearly a decade I have worked with leading LIGO scientists to transform gravitational wave data into an immersive artwork, extending contrapuntal Studio’s independent research across astrophysics, genetics, neuroaesthetics, and sonification,” says Skepper. “Art provides a vehicle to translate complex science into experiences people can feel, a vital form of public engagement. It is an honour to serve as international artistic lead for this milestone 10th anniversary and to present ongoing R&D around this project and the work of my studio on a global stage.”
FROM THE SCIENCE
“I witnessed his high level of professionalism… He paid close attention to every technical and artistic detail.”
Susan M. Scott, Distinguished Professor of Theoretical Physics, Australian National University
Further reading: ANU media release, “Ten years on, LIGO detecting black holes is almost like having your daily coffee” (PDF)
LOOKING AHEAD
The premiere is the first realisation of a larger immersive audio-visual work in development, intended for museums, festivals, touring and institutions internationally.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Benjamin Skepper is an Australian-Japanese composer, cellist and interdisciplinary artist, and the founder of contrapuntal, the studio he established in Tokyo in 2009. Full biography
