“Mineral As Musical Note” – A performance at the Natural History Museum
As part of VIENNA ART WEEK, artist Camila Sposati transforms the world-famous mineral collection of the Natural History Museum Vienna into a resonant field of experimentation. Minerals become notes, sounds become transformation—a performance in which geology and music merge.
Camila Sposati (C) Nio Takewaki
As part of VIENNA ART WEEK, artist Camila Sposati invites visitors to an extraordinary performance at the Natural History Museum Vienna. The starting point is the museum’s famous mineral collection, one of the largest and most historically significant in the world.
Sposati approaches the minerals in an unusual way: depending on their origin, color, and atomic composition, they are translated into musical notes. This results in two completely different compositions—one developed by drummer Thiago Barata, the other by Volny Hostiou, who plays the serpent, a rare wind instrument from the 16th century.
The musicians Volny Houstiou (left; Photo: Jeff Lescene) and Thiago Barata (right, Photo: Natália Michalzuk)
The result is a bold crossover where raw, physical sound encounters the silence of mineral substances. Experimental soundscapes breathe new vitality into the geological objects. Under the title “Mineral As Musical Note”, the performance unfolds as a meditative exploration of transformation, vibration, and the music hidden within matter.
Further details about the performance can be found in the program of VIENNA ART WEEK 2025.
Camila Sposati is a recipient of the City of Vienna’s 2025 Visual and Media Arts Work Grant.
The event within the framework of VIENNA ART WEEK is supported by:
