Jenny Sunesson (b. 1973) is a Swedish artist and researcher.
She predominantly works with sound, however her practice ranges from field recording, live collages and installations to participatory projects and video where she often explores auto-ethnography and site-specificity as modes to examine modern society and its exclusions through the lens of domestic life.
Surveys, research, interviews and fictional fragments are reconstructed into worlds where alternate reflections and interpretations of political events and tendencies may take place.
– My work might be considered remixes where digital traces are re-configured to “poke around” and investigate modern life, says Jenny.
Born in Gothenburg in 1973, she originally trained and worked professionally as a journalist.
She later studied at The Swedish Institute of Dramatic Arts (Dramatiska Institutet) in Stockholm.
She has previously lived in France and the UK but in 2012 she moved to a rural village North of Uppsala, where she is still based today.
Jenny has received a large number of commissions and grants and her works have been performed in festivals, concerts and gallery contexts, both in Sweden and internationally.
Jenny currently represents Stockholm University of The Arts (SKH) where she holds the position of Assistant professor in Sonic practice.
Contact
jenny@jennysunesson.com
+ 46 (0) 707 704312
CV↓
Higher education
1995–1997 Journalist program, Ljungskile College of Higher Learning, Ljungskile
2002–2004 Bachelor’s degree in Radio, University Diploma of Performing Arts and Media, The Swedish Institute of Dramatic Arts, Stockholm
2015 Writing to learn, Institute for Writing and Thinking, Bard College, Hudson, New York
2015–2016 Pedagogy in higher education, Konstfack University College of Art and Design, Stockholm
2018 Deep Listening, Hola College of Higher Learning, Prästmon
2019 Practical knowledge I. Stockholm University of the Arts, Stockholm
2022 Practical knowledge II. Stockholm University of the Arts, Stockholm
Solo shows and performances
2022 UNDER II. 16-channel, solar powered, site-specific sound installation
Supported by People's Movements for Art Promotion (Konstfrämjandet) and the Swedish Arts council
2021 UNDER I. 16-channel, solar powered, site-specific sound installation
Commissioned by Skogen Mellan Oss and and Konstfrämjandet. Supported by Postkodlotteriet and the Swedish Arts council. Curator: Johanna Hästö
2020 HOME Solo show, Tierp Art museum & Culture house, Tierp, Sweden
Commissioned by Tierp Art museum & Culture house. Curator: Louise Magnusson
2020 Hymn for a Dehydrated Spruce, 5-channel sound installation for water towers
Residency work premiere, Antenna Festival 2019, Gnesta water tower
2019 A Glint of Pink, live performance/sound installation
Uppsala Art Museum, Uppsala, Sweden. Curator: Patrik Kiraly
2016 HOME, audiovisual live performance
Solo show at Köttinspektionen, Uppsala, Sweden
2014 Study of a failed parachute, audiovisual performance
Swedish Museum of Performing Arts, Stockholm, Sweden
2014 Study of a failed parachute, audiovisual performance
Norberg Electronic Music festival, Sweden
2014 Study of a failed parachute, audiovisual performance
Performance at the Swedish Energies Festival, ISSUE Project Room, New York, USA, supported by the Consulate General of Sweden.
2013 Study of a failed parachute, performance
Sound of Stockholm festival, Sweden
2009 Hands up! Jag skjuter! sound installation
Röhsska Design Museum, Gothenburg, Sweden
2007 Hands up! Jag skjuter! sound installation
Gothenburg public library, Gothenburg, Sweden
2006 Hands up! Jag skjuter! text/sound
Commission premier, Stockholm New Music Festival, Nybrokajen 11, Stockholm, Sweden + live broadcast, Radio Sweden P2. Commission by: Concerts Sweden. Curator: Magnus Florin
2004 Död stad, vit stad, text/sound
Commission premier, EMS 40:th Anniversary concert, Fylkingen, Stockholm, Sweden.
Live broadcast, P2, SR Swedish radio. Commisioner: Concerts Sweden
2004 Dom skulle inte bli gamla, soundscape & Bortom Melrose, text/sound
Solo screening at Teater Scenario, Stockholm, Sweden.
Selected group shows, screenings and performances
2022 Zapping the life 1.0, site-specific, audiovisual installation
Group exhibition, Tobo Culture festival, supported by Region Uppsala and Tierp Municipality
2022 Zapping the life 2.0, performance
Svenska Tal festival, Fylkingen, Stockholm. Curator: Tomas Raijnai
2021 Som lavinsändare sökte dom, soundscape
Group exhibition, SRc archive exhibition, Stockholm House of Culture & City Theatre, Sweden
Curated by Audiorama
2020 A Glint of Pink, live performance
Musikvalvet Baggen, Stockholm. Part of the Musikakademin project with Malin Pettersson-Öberg, Sonia Hedstrand, Anna Giertz and Anna Kinbom. Curator: Cecilia Josefson
2020 Residency show, audiovisual performance by Lina Persson and Jenny Sunesson
Group exhibition, Köttinspektionen, Uppsala
2019 This is Hawai, part II. video
Åke Hodell 100-years jubilée event, Rönnell’s Antikvariat, Stockholm, Sweden.
Curator: Magnus Haglund
2019 They would never grow old, soundscape
Group exhibition “The Art of Field recording”
Detroit Gallery, Stockholm. Curator: Jacek Smolicki
2018 A Glint of Pink, performance, commission premier
Group installation at Konstepedemin, Gothenburg
Curator and commisioner: Cecilia Josefson
2017 Anaglypta, sound installation
Group exhibition ”Inget å se här”, Köttinspektionen, Uppsala, Sweden
Curator: Anna-Karin Brus
2017 This is Hawaii, audiovisual installation, commission premier
Scolarship group exhibition, Gallery Offkonsten, Uppsala, Sweden
Commisioner: Region Uppsala Curator: Johannes Ehnsmyr
2016 The Lost and Found project: HOME, live performance, premier
20-year Anniversary jubilée, Electronic mini-festival, Lövstabruk, Sweden
2014 Anaglypta, text/sound
Concert at Alter Schwede-2 festival, Ausland Centre of experimental music and performance, Berlin, Germany
2013–2014 Anaglypta, sound installation
Group exhibition Out of Sync, Looking Back at the History of Sound Art, KUMU Museum of Modern Art, Tallinn, Estonia
2012 Död stad, vit stad, sound installation
Group exhibition, Museum of Modern Art, Malmö, Sweden
2012 Död stad, vit stad, text/sound
Group exhibition Propro Prop, Bucky Drome, Museum of Modern Art, Stockholm, Sweden
Curator: Mats Lindström
2009 Genre X: The Great Destroyer, live performance, commission premier
ISCM New Music Days, Röhsska Design Museum, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Collaborators: Johan Berthling and George Kentros
2009 Genre X: The Great Destroyer, live performance
Teaterstudio Ledermann, Stockholm, Sweden.
Collaborators: Johan Berthling and George Kentros.
Commissioned by The Swedish Arts Grants Committée
2009 Hands up! Jag skjuter! text/sound
Head phone concert at Listen to the world festival, Röhsska Design Museum, Gothenburg, Sweden
2009 The Housewife: Trays, ovens and glass, EAM
Concert at Fylkingen, Stockholm, Sweden
2008 A Perfect White Pet, video, commission premier
Fylkingen 75-year Anniversary
Live broadcast at Radio Sweden P2
2008 The Housewife: Trays, ovens and glass, EAM
Concert, CD release/premier, Vågform festival, Gävle, Sweden
2007 Hands up! Jag skjuter! text/sound
Concert, LARM festival, Stockholm House of Culture & City Theatre, Stockholm, Sweden.
2007 Walk (while you talk) video
Group exhibition and screening at Pitt Gallery, Worcester, UK.
2007 Död stad, vit stad, text/sound and Hands up! Jag skjuter! text/sound
Concerts at Gothenburg Art Sound Festival “GAS”, Brew house 1, Gothenburg, Sweden
2005 Walk (while you talk) video
Screening at Edinburgh Electroacoustic festival, Reid hall, Edinburgh, UK
2005 Död stad, vit stad, text/sound
Concert as part of the Group exhibition Pssst, Konstakademin, Stockholm, Sweden. Curator: Ann Rosén
2004 Walk (while you talk), sound installation
Commissioned by Museon Arlaten, Arles, supported by Phonurgia Nova. Curator: Kaye Mortley
2004 Walk (while you talk), video
Screening at Moderna Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm
2004 Dom skulle inte bli gamla, soundscape
Sound installation at Festival Förverkliga, Ekerö, Sweden
Commissioned broadcasts/hoerspiel
2009 Hands up! Jag skjuter! text/sound
Broadcast, P2 Norwegian national radio (NRK)
2006 Anaglypta, text/sound
Broadcast premier, P1 Radio Drama, Radio Sweden
Commissioned by Magnus Florin, P1 Radio Drama, Radio Sweden
2005 This is Hawaii, part 1, text/sound
Broadcast premier, P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
Commissioned by: P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
2005 This is Hawaii, part 2, text/sound
Broadcast premier, P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
Commissioned by: P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
2005 This is Hawaii, part 3, text/sound
Broadcast premier, P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
Commissioned by: P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
2005 This is Hawaii, part 4, text/sound
Broadcast premier, P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
Commissioned by: P3 Culture, SR Swedish Radio
2004 Som lavinsändare sökte dom (Like avalanche receivers, they searched), soundscape.
Commissioned by SRc, Radio Sweden.
2004 Bortom Melrose, text/sound
Broadcast premier P1 Culture, Radio Sweden
Commissioned by P1 Culture, Radio Sweden
Selected radio documentaries
2001–2002 Rosa Stockholm (two-part series) Radio Sweden (P4/P5)
2001–2002 Hjorthagen (three-part series) Radio Sweden (P4/P5)
2002 Drömmen om Beach 2002, Radio Sweden (P3 Culture)
2002 MAO BS, Radio Sweden (P1 Culture)
2002 Frag, Lag! Game Over! Radio Sweden (P1 Culture)
2003 I love my Atari, Radio Sweden (P1 Culture)
2004 Dagarna med Big Papa, Radio Sweden (P3 Culture)
Artistic research
2022– (present) Main Supervisor for PhD Candidate Paola Torres Núñez del Prado and her project THE TANGIBILITY OF THE DIGITAL: Cross-Cultural Interfaces for Performing Interactivity, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2022 (coming up) Undoing Art Research from a Sonico-Feminist Perspective – A PLAY, research presentation, Alliances and Communalities research conference. In collaboration with Åsa Stjerna, Jenny Gräf Sheppard, Ania Mauruschat and Salomé Voegelin.
2022– (present) Bodies as ears – speculations on acoustosomatics. Research project of choreography, film and media, in collaboration with Martin Sonderkamp, Ulrika Berg and Jennifer Lacey. Funded research by Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2022 Fragmenturgy Action Tool (FACT), research presentation at the World Academic Forum (WAF) in Stockholm.
2022 Fragmenturgy Action Tool (FACT) participatory performance as part of Walking Art Conference, Österbybruk, hosted by Konstfrämjandet, Uppland. Curated by Johanna Hästö.
2022 Fragmenturgy Action Tool (FACT) presenting at the World Academic Forum (WAF) in Stockholm in collaboration with Navet Research Center.
2022 IMAGINEERING FRAGMEDIALITIES - Field recording and mapping practices as rituals for listening, exploring and re-imagining space, research seminar at The Royal College of Technology, Stockholm, curated by Roberto Bresin.
2021 Fragmenturgy Action Tool (FACT) public presentation according to the release of VIS#5
Sites, Events and Encounters with Sound. Curated by Rebecka Hilton.
2021 (April–September) FACT, Fragmenturgy Action Tool stage one, case study at Uppsala College of Higher Learning in collaboration with participating students, Christina Hillheim and Aron Stenlid. Assisted by Ali Quraishi.
2021 Fragmenturgy Action Tool (FACT) presenting at the Arts & Future panel, NEEDS 2021, Östersund
2020 Sunesson/Persson – live audiovisual installation – Köttinspektionen, Uppsala.
2020–2022 (present) FACT – stage one. Artistic research project funded by Stockholm University of the Arts.
2020 FACT – stage one. Presentation at Folk & Kultur, Eskilstuna.
2019 The Lost and Found Project: Imagineering fragmedialities. Published in VIS Nordic Journal of Artistic Research.
https://www.visjournal.nu/the-lost-and-found-project/
2019 Organising and moderating art/research talks and panels at Tempo Documentary festival, Stockholm on the topic of Heritage; I: Changing the way we work – re-thinking structures for sustainable filmmaking, II: Documentary reconstructed – possibilities and methods. With Mia Engberg, Ester-Martin Bergsmark, Carl Javér, Mirko Lempert, Shamarke Binyusu, Lina Persson and Bengt Bok.
2019 Participatory sound performance and artist talk at Framtidsfabriken, Örbyhus as part of the research project The Lost and Found Project: Imagineering Fragmedialities. Hosted by Konstfrämjandet, Region Uppland and Framtidsfabriken
2019 Sonic practice as a socio-cultural tool, Artist talk at Tierps bibliotek.
2018 The Lost and Found project (LOF) collaborator within the sound collective NO_SPACE consisting of LOF, Isabelle Gustafsson-Ny, Olle Tallinger, Jeanette Järvenpää, Deniz Soyarslan.
2018 My Örbyhus – sonic mapping collaboration project including pupils at Örbyhus local school and their teacher Lena Öman. Part of the research project The Lost and Found Project: Imagineering Fragmedialities
2017 JAN 20 The lost and found project: HOME. Live performance at the Research week, Stockholm University of the Arts.
2017 The Lost and Found project (LOF): HOME “The Urban Norm”. Live performance and panel at Tempo Documentary festival, with Clara Bodén and Cicely Irvine, Stockholm, Sweden.
2017 The Lost and Found project (LOF) presents at “Can art save the world” research seminar. With Mara Lee, Mia Engberg, Per Platou, curated by professor Ellen Roed at Stockholm University of the Arts, Stockholm, Sweden.
2017 The Lost and Found project (LOF), final research seminar & outdoor concert, Stockholm University of the Arts, Stockholm, Sweden.
2016–2019 The Lost and Found Project. Artistic research project funded by Stockholm University of the Arts.
2015–2016 Assistant supervisor, Janna Holmstedt, PhD student, Umeå Academy of Fine Arts.
Curatorial
2019–2020 Curator, open seminar series linked to the course Sound as Critical practice (shared with Åsa Stjerna). Including open lectures and performances with Cedric Fermont, Janna Holmstedt and Brandon LaBelle. Hosted by Stockholm University of the Arts, Department of Film- and Media.
2017 Curator, open seminar series linked to the course Feminist perspectives in Sonic Practice, including open lectures with Yvette J. Jackson and Tiina Rosenberg. Hosted by Stockholm University of the Arts in collaboration with EMS Elektronmusikstudion, Stockholm.
2015–2017 Creative director and curator, CO-lab interdisciplinary, research environment, seminar series and workshops. Hosted by the research department of Stockholm University of the Arts. Collaborators: Olof Halldin, Daniel Peltz and Rolf Hughes.
2015 Curator and coordinator, Big Sister: Geek Girls festival, a two-day feminist Art/Tech conference at TEKNISKA Museum of Science in Stockholm. A Collaboration between the Media LAB at Stockholm University of the Arts and Geek Girl Meetup.
2013–2017 Creative director and curator, Media LAB Art/Tech interdisciplinary environment, seminar series and workshops. Hosted by the Department of Film- and media at Stockholm University of the Arts.
Jurys and boards
2021– (present) Chairperson of the Admission board for the BA in Film and Media, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2021– (present) Board member of the Advisory board of Art education at Wiik’s College of Higher Learning, Region Uppsala
2021– (present) Board member of the Committée of Education and Research, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2020 Chairperson of the Admission board for the BA in Film and Media, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2020 Board member of the Course plan Committée, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2016–2019 Board member of the Admission board for the MA in Film Music Composition, The Royal College of Music in Stockholm (KMH)/Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2018 Board member of the Admission board for the MA in Film & Media, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).
2015 Jury member, Stiftelsen för Ung Nordisk Musik (UNM) Young composers selected for ung nordisk musik festival, Helsinki, Finland.
Teaching, selected courses and positions
2023 Guest lecturer, STUFF - Expanded Choreographic Practices (7,5 credits), Elective course, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2022 Course responsible & teacher, Lab: Audio and Visual Narration (7,5 credits), BA in Film and Media, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2021 External supervisor, MA in Choreography, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2021 Sound as Artistic practice (7,5 credits) Elective course, BA in Film & Media, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH) Concept, teaching and course coordination
2020–2021 Teacher & Course coordinator, Sound as Critical practice (30 credits) Freestanding course, Postmaster level (English), Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2020 Course coordinator, Teacher, Lab: Audio and Visual Narration (7,5 credits) BA of Film & Media – Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2019–2020 Concept, Course coordinator & Teacher (shared with Åsa Stjerna), Sound as Critical practice (30 credits) Freestanding course, Postmaster level (English), Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2019 Concept, Course coordinator & Teacher (shared with Magnus Berg), Radio drama, sound and sound concepts (13,5 credits) BA Radio in Film and Media, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2019–2020 Concept, Course coordinator & Teacher, Introductory course (foundational level) EMS Elektronmusikstudion, Stockholm
2018–2019 Guest teacher, supervisor at Sustainable Artistic Practice (7,5 credits) Professional Contexts of Performing Arts (15 credits) Methods for the Independent Project (7,5 credits) Independent Project in Performing Arts (22,5 credits), BA Sound Design in Performing Arts – Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2015–2019 Course coordinator, Teacher, Supervisor (shared with Åsa Stjerna 2016–18) Intermedia (5 credits), BA in Electroacoustic composition at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm
2017 Concept, teaching and course coordination, Feminist perspectives in Sonic Arts (15 credits) Freestanding course, BA level, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2016 Concept, teaching and course coordination, Feminist perspectives in Sonic Arts (15 credits) Freestanding course, BA level, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2018 Concept, teaching and course coordination (shared with Klas Dykhoff), Sound as Materiality (1,5 credits), Postmaster level, designed for professional sound designers working at Radio Sweden’s department for Drama – Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
2015 Concept, teaching and course coordination, Play is serious business (1,5 credits) Elective course, BA in Film & Media – Stockholm University of the Arts
2015 Sound film (SKH) Concept, teaching and course coordination
2012–2014 Teacher, supervisor, Sound Art (120 credits) MA program, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
Selected texts
“Förtjänar bättre villkor” by Sebastian Johans, Uppsala Nya tidning, October, 9 (2017)
Live broadcast and interview about sound performing “Study of a failed parachute” live at Radio Sweden P4, Stockholm, May 13 (2015)
“Ville-Mondes – Stockholm, la ville noire” Radio documentary by Amaury Chardeau, France Culture, November, 18 (2012).
“Fyrtio år med Gnissel, fras och gurgel” by Johanna Paulsson, Dagen Nyheter, October, 12 (2004).
“Får man göra så här? Som att gå på bio utan vit duk” by Lisa Boda, Svenska Dagbladet, November, 16 (2004).
“Framgångsrik utmaning av genrebegreppen” by Magnus Haglund, Göteborgsposten, October, 8 (2007).
“Låt ballongen ljuda” by Marcus Boldeman, Dagens nyheter, February, 16 (2006).
“Finstilt lyssnarvåld” by Tony Lundman, Svenska Dagbladet, December, 10 (2004).
Book “Åke Hodell” by Magnus Haglund, Natur och Kultur (2009).
Jenny Sunesson in catalogue, Stockholm New Music “Place and Space” (2008)
Edited by Magnus Haglund and Sara Micaelsson.
Jenny Sunesson in catalogue, EMS Elektronmusikstudion 40-year Anniversary.
Edited by Isabelle Thompson (2004).
Jenny Sunesson in catalogue, Fylkingen 75-year Anniversary (2008).
Jenny Sunesson in catalogue, Issue project room (2014).