Threshold Horns

Toni Brell received a grant for the development of new work. As part of their ongoing exploration of self-crafted sound devices, Toni Brell will investigate the historical and material qualities of mid-winter horns found in Dutch-German border regions. These wooden instruments once marked the winter solstice and later became associated with pre-Christmas celebrations. The project unfolds in three phases: researching the cultural heritage and historical context of these instruments, crafting a wooden horn prototype, and exploring their sonic and performative potential.

Toni works at the intersection of installation, performance, and sound, exploring the interplay of emotional and material relationships through audio-tactile experiences. By drawing inspiration from ASMR and Foley practices, Toni investigates the sensory potential of objects, using sound and texture as conduits to emotional and embodied forms of knowing. Merging objects with self-crafted pieces, Toni creates sensory landscapes that invite audience engagement through listening, touch, smell, and taste. Interested in materiality as a source of comfort, they create work that emphasizes the potential of touch to communicate beyond language. Recent exhibitions and performances have taken place at NEVERNEVERLAND, Amsterdam, Platform Vasa, Sonic Acts Biennial, HIAP, Garage Rotterdam, Fries Museum, and Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen. Toni lives and works in Amsterdam.