Morten Riis (b. 1980) is a composer, sound artist and researcher. 
Morten Riis's music can be characterised as an electronic music that fuses elements of sound art with a more acousmatic and electro-acoustic approach.Lately his artistic work has focused around the investigation of the myriad of errors that arises when working with analogue and digital systems. Common for all of Riis's artistic endeavours is a fascination of working on the limits of what is technological possible when finding new sound material. Pushing machines to their limits to obtain an aesthetic that emphasises the imperfections of modern technology. Yet perhaps the sound of a computer crashing is not an expression of error, but rather an expression of anintangible beauty. From these digital shortcomings a sound universe is created that might be defined as modern day music concrete, that utilizes the sounds that are a part of our modern everyday lives. They are not physical objects but are very concrete in our daily interaction with technology, and in that sense perhaps a more concrete sound statement for our generation than the sound of a rumbling train.
Has published a range of topics on the mediation of sound, and artistic research in books, anthologies, and journals. He holds a Ph.D. degree in electronic music from Aarhus University and is educated in composition from the Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. Together with composer Marie Højlund he is the co-founder and leader of The Overheard project presenting large scale sound installations in Denmark and abroad. Riis has also organised international academic conferences, acted as editor of journals and successfully fundraised large scale academic and artistic projects.
Full CV
RECENT EMPLOYMENTS· Teaching Associate Professor at Audio Design, Aarhus University. 1st of April 2021 -· Ekstern lektor at Audio Design, Aarhus University. 1st of September 2020 - 30th of April 2021. · Associate Professor in Electronic Music at The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. 1st August 2018 - 31 August 2020. · Researcher and teacher at Audio Design and Center For Sound Studies, Aarhus University. December 1st 2016 to June 30th 2018.  · Post doc position at PIT – interdisciplinary research center, Aarhus University. August 1st 2014 to November 1st 2016.· Head of the electronic music department at The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. June 1st 2013 to June 31st 2014 (part time). ·  Post doc position at PIT – interdisciplinary research center, Aarhus University. January 1st 2013 to February 15th 2014 (full time).·  Teaching electronic music composition and supervising MA projects at The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. August 2012 to July 2013.·  Teaching electronic music composition at ‘Musik og Dans’ Højskole, Toftlund. August 2012 to December 2012.·  PhD scholarship. Co-financed between The Royal Academy of Music and Aarhus University. 1 September 2008 to 1 September 2012.
EDUCATION·  PhD degree. Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University. 15 January 2013.·  Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology, cand.it. Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University. 15 September 2010.·  Initiated a master in electronic music from The Royal Academy of Music, combined with a transition to 4+4 PhD scholarship (2007 – 2008).·  Bachelor degree in electronic music from The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. 11 June 2007.·  Musicology, Aarhus University (1999 – 2002)·  Mathematical high school degree from Marselisborg gymnasium, Aarhus (1996 – 1999).
CHOSEN CONCERTS2023
  • KLANG Festival, Musikhuset Copenhagen - with Esbjerg Ensemble
  • Vistoft kirke. Kyndelmisse.
2022- KLANG Festival, Musikhuset Copenhagen2021- Freiburg Ensemble Haus - with ensemble recherche2020- Klang Festival, Copenhagen- Musikhuset Aarhus, with ensemble recherche2018- Resignation concert for Prof Wayne Siegel, Musikhuset Lille Sal, Aarhus- Klang festival with Copenhagen Phil. Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen- Solar Plexsus with poet Morten Søndergaard et. al. Åben Scene, Godsbanen, Aarhus- Sonificeret Omfagnelse - 3D sound diffusion festival, Dome of Visions, Aarhus2017- Sonic Festival, Copenhagen, Denmark- Struer Tracks (in collaboration with Marie Højlund), Struer, Denmark- Keddelhuset, Silkeborg, Denmark2016- Define Festival, Denmark.- Hindsgavl Festival, Denmark- Utzon Center, Aalborg, Denmark2015- Klang Festival, Copenhagen, Denmark- SPOR festival, Aarhus, Denmark- Critical Alternatives Conference, Aarhus, Denmark- Nordic Music Days, Copenhagen, Denmark- Lab of Aesthetics & Ecology Festival, Dome of Visions, Copenhagen- Kunsthal Aarhus2014- Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, Denmark- Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany- ACTS Festival-14, Museum of Contemporary Art, Roskilde, Denmark- SPOR Festival-14, Aarhus, Denmark2013- Nordic Music Days, Helsinki, Finland- Open Days - festival for new music and sound art, Aalborg, Denmark- Aarhus Sound Festival (Aarhus Lydfestival), Denmark- Land Art Park, Rodekro, Denmark.- Hindsgavl festival (playing 4 concerts). Middelfart, Denmark- Danish Royal Library, Copenhagen, Denmark.- Danish National Radio building. Copenhagen, Denmark.- Humboldt University. Berlin, Gemany. 2012- Eskilstuna Contemporary Art Museum. Eskilstuna, Sweden.- Kunstbaustelle, Flensburg, Germany.- Synaesthesia festival. Wroclaw, Poland.- LAK sound art festival, Copenhagen, Denmark- Aarhus Art Building (Aarhus kunstbygning), Aarhus, Denmark- Musikhuset Aarhus, Rytmisk sal. 25th anniversary for DIEM. Aarhus, Denmark.- Galerie Pi. Copenhagen, Denmark.- Transmediale festival. Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany 2011- Kunstbaustelle Klang Kunst Festival. Flensburg, Germany- Performing Music.television at relaunch of Aarhus Young Toneartist (AUT). Aarhus, Denmark- Live electronics with Messer String Quartet. Medical Museion. Copenhagen, Denmark 2010              - Worldtronics10. Haus der Kulturen der Welt. Berlin, Germany- International Electronic Music Festival, Sonderborg, Denmark- Concert at the Danish pavilion at the world EXPO in Shanghai, China- DADA, Shanghai, China- The Raying temple, Beijing, China- Concert with Jonas R. Kirkegaard at the Queen of Denmark’s coach trip through the city of Aarhus.- Headphones festival at SPOR festival, Aarhus, Denmark 2009- International Electronic Music Festival, Sonderborg, Denmark- NOTCH09 digital art festival Guangzhou, China- NOTCH09 digital arts festival Beijing, China- Roskilde festival, Denmark- Concert performing ONE IS LISTEN at CAVI, University of Aarhus, Denmark- Premiere of the concert band piece A.R.O.S. Musikhusets great hall, Arhus, Denmark    2008- Concert at the Danish National Gallery, Copenhagen. Performing LEGO.MUSIC - Electronic Jazz Juice 08, “Musikcaféen”, Aarhus- SPOT festival, “Musikhuset”, “Filuren”, Aarhus- Premiere of the piece LEGO.MUSIC for 8 LEGO Technics engines. Literaturhaus, Copenhagen 2007- Kulturnat07. Duo concert with Jonas Olesen at The Danish Ministry of Culture. Copenhagen- Sonic Arts Network, Expo festival, Plymouth, England- Bachelor concert from The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, Denmark 2006- Solo concert and VJ for J. Olesen, Huset Aalborg. Arranged by North Jutland Young Tone Artists- Konturfestival, PLEX Music theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark- Recession festival, Lynfabrikken, Aarhus, Denmark- Electronic Jazz Juice 06, Musikcaféen, Aarhus, Denmark- Duo concert with Jonas Olesen, Overgaden -Institute for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen, Denmark- Vrioon for 2x double bass, viola and computer. Ridehuset, Aarhus, Denmark- Impro.v1, for solo violin and computer. Soloist Tim Summers. Musikhusets small hall, Aarhus, Denmark 2005- Science festival, Studenterhus Aarhus, Denmark. Moraville for piano, viola, double bass and computer                  - Syntèse festival05, Bourges, France. Premiere of the piece Hier la méme chanson- Musikhusets great hall, Aarhus, Denmark. Granville for 8 cello and computer 
INSTALLATIONS2022(Dette er ikke) ET TRÆ. Permanent sound sculpture at UC.SYD campus Kolding. In collaboration with Marie Højlund. 2021Chasing the Moods - permanent sound sculpture, Hjørring Hospital - In collaboration with Marie Højlund. 2020Vi Lytter Sammen - permanent sound sculpture, Struer - In collaboration with Marie Højlund. 2019- Hemmeligheder bygger bro MK2. Piece for the automatic carillons in the cities of Randers, Herning, Silkeborg and Aarhus. In collaboration with Marie Højlund.2018- Hemmeligheder bygger Bro. Piece for the carillons at Aarhus City Hall. In collaboration with Marie Højlund. Aarhus Festuge, 31 August to 9 September. -  L/R & R/L at the group exhibition Art By Numbers - KH7 Artspace, Aarhus. June 2018.- Anotações Sonoras: Espaço, Pausa, Repetição. Sound design for the installation made by Pedro Tudela & Miguel Carvalhais at oMuseu - Faculdade de Belas Artes Universidade do Porto.- Nephew // The Overheard. Live augmented audio/video broadcast from Østerild windmill testcenter, Thisted, running live at www.nephew.dk/overheard 1st January to 31st December 2018. In collaboration with Marie Højlund & Nephew.2017- 199 Stemmer. Site specific 10 + 3 channel public sound installation. Sct Marie Church Sønderborg. Commissioned by Define Festival. 6th to 12th November. In collaboration with Marie Højlund.- 4140 Voices. Site specific 24 channel public sound installation. Memorial site for the fallen Danish soldiers during the First World War, Mindeparken - Aarhus. 1st of July to 25th of September. Made in collaboration with Marie Højlund.2016- OFFSTAGE. Public sound art installation at Ofelia Plads, Copenhagen. Commissioned by The Royal Theater and Danish Composers Society. Made in collaboration with Marie Højlund and Jonas R. Kirkegaard.- Norner. Sound atmosphere for exhibition at Utzon Center, Aalborg, Denmark. Made in collaboration with Marie Højlund and Nicolas Vetterli.2014- Magnetic Groove Memories. A re-introduction of the physical music archive consisting of an exhibition, workshops and performances. In collaboration with Sandra Boss and Jonas Olesen. Roskilde library January 11 to January 30 2014.2013- Cassette Memories. Performative installation/workshop in collaboration with Andrew Prior. Roskilde Festival, July 3rd and 4th 2013.2012- Carla Sleeping. Eskilstuna Contemporary Art Museum. 10th of November 2012 to 6th of January 2013. Eskilstuna, Sweden. - Carla Sleeping, an interactive audio/mechanical moving sculpture made in collaboration with Jukka Vikberg. Galerie Pi. 2nd March to 31st of March. Copenhagen, Denmark. 2010- Bamboo Weave, an audio/visual sculpture made in collaboration with Mogens Jacobsen & Jacob Sikker Remin. NOTCH-10 festival, Beijing, China 2009- The Sound and Sight of CO2, an audio/visual installation made for the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen, placed at the central town square 2007- Music.television, an audio/visual installation for 8 Televisions. Premiered at Magasin department store, Aarhus, Denmark- SIC, an Interactive computer installation. “SPOR-festival”, “Ridehuset” Aarhus, Denmark - SIC, an Interactive computer installation. Premiered at PLEX music-theater, Copenhagen, Denmark 2006- Reception, an interactive audio/visual installation. Premiered at the opening of the TEKNE network, The Aarhus Art Building – Center for contemporary art, Denmark- Knowledge-Room, an Interactive audio/visual installation. Made in collaboration with Jonas Olesen. Premiered at “Knowledge-festival 06”, Aarhus Student-house, Denmark
VIDEO WORKS20218 Rooms Listening to Me (in the wilderness) - commissioned by Aarhus Sinfonietta2021Close to You - with ensemble recherche, in collaboration with Allan Gravgaard Madsen2020Close to You Fragments - with ensemble recherche, in collaboration with Allan Gravgaard Madsen2008TETA 1-3 - produced at Aarhus Filmværksted, in collaboration with Jonas Olesen
CURATORIAL- The Overheard. Large scale sound art project (official part of The European Capital of Culture, Aarhus 2017) that presented 6 outdoor public sound installations spread over Region Midt, (jutland). A live streaming web page, and a series of concerts. In collaboration with Marie Højlund. www.overheard.dk 
THEATER 2022Composer and sound designer on Leonora Christina- Sandhedens Dronning, Aarhus Teater. In collaboration with Marie Højlund. 2018Composer and sound designer on Dancer In The Dark, Aarhus Teater, autumn 2018. In collaboration with Marie Højlund. 
SOFTWARE VibraNode (2013) Application for iPhone using the vibrator of the phone to excite the physical world. Made in collaboration with Redia - commissioned by Danish Composers Society.  
FILM MUSIC- The Fringe. Docu/fiction directed by Christian Vium. Premiered at Proyecta 2017 "Imaginando Otros Posibles" - Plaza Mayor, Madrid (2017). - Manenberg. A documentary produced and directed by Karen Waltorp & Christian Vium (2010). Official selection CPH:DOX -10- Borderland. A documentary produced and directed by Knud Brix, Kristian Djurhuus & Maximilian Westphal (2008). Distribution by Equator Pictures- E-magiciens. Animation film workshop festival, Valenciennes, France (2005) 
GRANTS- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2022- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2021- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2020- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2019- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2018- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2017- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2016- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2015- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2014- Danish Art Foundation, work grant 2008 
COMMISSIONS- Aarhus Symphony Orchestra 2024- Klang festival 2022 - 2024- Aarhus sinfonietta 2021- ensemble recherche 2020- Klang Festival (Copenhagen Phil) 2018- Define Festival (Skt. Mariekirken) 2017- The Royal Theatre, Copenhagen 2016 - Define Festival (Silesian String Quartet) 2016- Klang Festival 2015- Spor Festival 2014- ACTS Festival 2014- Danish Composers Society 2013- Danish Royal Library 2012- DIEM (Danish Institute of Electronic Music) 25 years anniversary 2012- Messer String Quartet 2011- Tonica concert band 2009- Contemporanea 2009 
NOMINATIONS- Danish national radios P2’s Lyt til Nyt prisen (best new composition music) 2010 for the CD getString
RELATED ACTIVITIES- Jury member, Open Call, Ofelia Plads 2017.- Organiser, curator, fundraiser (in collaboration with Marie Højlund) on The Overheard - part of the European Capital of Culture, Aarhus 2017. - Co-Musical supervisor for the opening of European Capital of Culture, Aarhus 2017.- Guest editor of special issue on Voice and Memory in the journal SoundEffects, 2016-2017.- Co-organiser Sound Art Matters - international conference on sound art, Aarhus University 1-4th of June 2016. - Developer on project Folkelab, a collaboration between public libraries and Aarhus University. March 2013 - February 2014.- Curator and editor of DIEM’s (Danish Institute of Electronic Music) 25-year anniversary CD, released March 2012- Curator and member of Aarhus E (Electronic Music Aarhus), a project initiative to promote and distribute electronic music from Aarhus, 2008-2011- Co-management and fundraising of the conference: The Art of Inverse Surveillance. Aarhus University. 8th through 9th of February 2009.
Chosen conferences, lectures and workshops· Speaker at Sonic Days 2022 - Nordic Sound Conference, Kolding - September 2022.  · Organizer and speaker at: Center for Sound Studies online-seminar: Kunstens potentiale for sanselig nærhed i en berøringsløs tid (XR og ASMR). Online seminar, Aarhus University, 9th April 2021.· Speaker at Listening to Silent Agencies in Anthropocene Contact Zones - The Posthumanities Hub Seminar, KTH Royal Institute of Technology 28th of January 2021.· Workshop leader at: Multiplier Seminar 'Feed-back, Feed-forward' - approaches to artistic feedback in doctoral supervision, Orpheus Insitute- ADVANCED STUDIES & RESEARCH IN MUSIC. 25-26 November 2020. · Overheard LAB#2 - Sound as Relation. Aarhus University, 23rd February 2018.· Sound, Art & Music - a transdisciplinary perspective. Seminar at Rhythmic Music Conservatory, Copenhagen, 31st January 2018. · Overhearing Sounding Ecologies Seminar, Aarhus University, 10th May 2017.· Sound based art in public spaces - seminar at Jutland Art Academy, 4th May 2017.· Overheard soundwalk workshop - Keddelhuset, Silkeborg 21st April 2017.· Overheard LAB#1 - international seminar on noise, sound and listening, Godsbanen Aarhus, 1st March 2017. ·The Overheard at DIGITAL LIVING RESEARCH COMMONS (DLRC) - Aarhus University, 25th January 2017.· Network seminar on artistic work across disciplines V2, Admiral Gjeddes Gård, Copenhagen, 29th November 2016· Network seminar on artistic work across disciplines - Kunsthal Aarhus,  28th Nov 2016.· Sound Art Matters - International conference with Paper presentation, Aarhus 1-4th of June 2016.Thinkering unSymposium - Workshop on artistic research and sound, Plymouth University, Ocean Studio Plymouth, UK, 18th June 2016.· Terræn - Conference on contemporary art in Denmark - With paper presentation, Copenhagen 20-21 February 2015.· ESSA 14. With paper presentation. University of Copenhagen, June 27-29 2014. · Alten: Technologien - Materialien - Praktiken. Workshop within the Interdiziplinären Labors: Bild Wissen Gestaltung. With paper presentation. Humboldt University, Berlin, June 24th 2014. · Aesthetic Seminar: Where Are The Ears Of The Machine? Aarhus University, 19 June 2014.· Sounding Media Archaeology. Organising workshop with Wolfgang Ernst, Aarhus University 23rd of May 2014.· Literature Media Sound conference. With paper presentation. Aarhus University, 28-30 November 2013. · RETHINK Participatory Cultural Citizenship conference. With paper presentation. Aarhus University, 14-16 November 2013.· Re-New festival. With paper presentation. Copenhagen, 29-31 October 2013.· Graham Harman reading workshop. Aarhus University, 8 October 2013.· Trans-What symposium. Paper presentation, Supermarkt, Berlin. 28 July 2013.· Cassette memories workshop. Roskilde Festival, Denmark. 3-4 July 2013.·  Lecture given at institute for Medienwissenschaft, Humboldt University, Berlin. 10 April 2013.·  Lecture given to Music in the Brain network. Aarhus University. 7 February 2013.·  PIT Workshop on Auditory Interfaces, Affective Engagement and the 'Echo' as a Mode of Participatory Investigation. Aarhus University. 17-18 January 2013.·  Transmediale Festival. With paper presentation at the in/compatible workshop. Berlin, Germany. 31st through 5th of February 2012.·  PhD workshop: In/compatible research. With paper presentation. Berlin, Germany. 16th through 18th of November 2011.·  ISEA-11. Conference and symposium. With paper presentation. Istanbul, Turkey. 14th through 21st of September 2011.·  PhD workshop/conference: Public Interfaces. With paper presentation. Aarhus University. 12th through 14th of January 2011.·  DARC seminar on Media archaeology. With project presentation. Aarhus University. 10th of December 2010.·  Aesthetic Eruptions of the Digital conference. Paper presentation. Aarhus University. 22nd of April 2010.·  Nordic Baltic Composition Network Conference. Paper presentation. The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. 9th of September 2009.· Digital Art and Culture in the age of Pervasive Computing. University of Copenhagen. 12th and 13th November 2008.
Project management· Organiser, curator, fundraiser (in collaboration with Marie Højlund) on The Overheard - part of the European Capital of Culture, Aarhus 2017. · Co-organiser Sound Art Matters - international conference on sound art, Aarhus University 1-4th of June 2016. · Developer and management on Folkelab project. March 2013 - February 2014.· Co-editor of the peer-reviewed online journal on contemporary music and sound art; Seismograf/PEER.·  Project manager, editor, curator and writer on the CD publication in regards to DIEM (Danish Institute of Electronic Music) 25th year anniversary. September 2011 through March 2012.·  Composer and project developer on The Sound of CO2. In collaboration with CAVI (Center for Advanced Visualisation and Interaction) and DUL. Aarhus University. February through April 2009.·  Co-management and fundraising of the conference: The Art of Inverse Surveillance. Aarhus University. 8th through 9th of February 2009.Boards and workgroups ·  Member of the research board at The Royal Academy of Music 2010-2014 & 2018 - 2020.- SNYKs Transportstøtte and ISCM-udvalg [TRIM] (2017-2019)- Fordelingsrådet, Danish Composers Society (2016-2020)- The executive committee for Danish Composers Society (2016-2021)- The executive committee for Seismograf (2016-2020) - Optageudvalget Danish Composers Society (2012-2015)- Peer review panel member Music, Thought and Technology - Orpheus Institute, Belgium- Advisory board member for the journal APRJA (a peer-reviewed journal about_) - Aarhus University- Workgroup for developing enhanced mobility for students within sound and audio based educations in Denmark. Developed within the framework of the Inovation network for Danish Sound, 2013-2014. Reviewing and censorship· Chair for assessment committee evaluating Christian Blom’s fellowship project under the Artistic Research Fellowship Program, Organized Time – Strategies for transmedial composition. Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, spring 2016 - spring 2017.· Guest editor of special issue on Voice and Memory in the journal SoundEffects, 2016-2017.· Co-supervisor for PhD scholar Sandra Boss at Aarhus University - Jan 2015 to May 2018.  · Advisory board member and reviewer for the journal APRJA (a peer-reviewed journal about_)· Reviewer for SoundEffects - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Sound and Sound Experience· Reviewer for the journal Peripeti.· Reviewer for the journal Akademisk Kvarter (academic quarter)· Reviewer for TEI 16 (Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction) conference.· Reviewer for ISEA 16· External censor Humanistic Informatics, Aalborg University, Denmark.· External censor Sonic College - Media and Sonic Communication, Haderslev, Denmark.· Summer School Course MATERIALITY for MUSICAL EXPRESSION - Mälardalen University.