Sewing Grounds 

artistic practice-based research by Viktoria Nikolova 

purpose and vision 

The Sewing Grounds residency brought together four musicians to develop an innovative performance and refine Sewing Grounds as a method—a practice that integrates sound, memory, and displacement through collaborative and technological exploration. Featuring three voices, a cello, a transformed sewing machine, and a four-channel audio setup, the project weaves together folklore, experimental music, and electro-acoustic sounds. It draws on Viktoria Nikolova’s research into memory, migration, and displacement, as well as her ongoing performance practice with Phoebe Kirrage and Julie Hasfjord as the trio Bitter Blossoms. Together, they explore the intersection of folklore, storytelling, and sound, blending cultural narratives from Scandinavia, Bulgaria, and England. 

This residency marked a pivotal moment in Viktoria’s artistic journey, connecting her studies at the Institute of Sonology and Leiden University with her evolving practice as a performer. Joined by her collaborators—Julie Hasfjord, Phoebe Kirrage, and Leah Plave—she used this time at Studio Loos to prototype an immersive performance and expand Sewing Grounds as a methodology. The residency culminated in a work-in-progress presentation on September 27th, facilitated by the generous support of Studio Loos. 

concept and approach 

Sewing Grounds merges sound, memory, and displacement through a sewing machine as a symbolic instrument of migration. In this method, sewing becomes a metaphor for mapping sonic landscapes, inspired by the folklore music of each performer’s cultural background and stories of displaced communities. The interdisciplinary approach reveals connections between everyday objects, cultural rituals, and memory. The piece incorporates a fabric map sewn live during the performance, where field recordings and vocal elements intertwine to highlight how history and identity are stitched into our lives. 

With conductive materials, the team amplified the sewing machine’s gestures, transforming its movements into sound through a dynamic audio experience. This emphasized the needle’s path as a vessel for history, resilience, and cultural memory. 

artistic inspirations 

The concept originated from Viktoria’s discovery of a 1984 Bulgarian language textbook, shedding light on the totalitarian influence of that era on daily life. Growing up in a post-Communistic country - Bulgaria inspired her to explore how ideology shapes memory and

identity, forming the foundation of Sewing Grounds’ focus on historical and personal narratives. Viktoria’s previous collaborative projects on the topics including a four-hour durational performance and workshop at the Sofia Underground Performance Art Festival 2023 with artist Boyan Avramov - Personal and Ideological Time|Burden, have continued to develop her interest in reflecting Eastern European cultural memory through performance. 

collaborative and research processes 

Sewing Grounds emerged as a method through ethnographic research conducted across Bulgaria, Norway, and England, along with archival research and field recordings. The project incorporated technological experimentation, including a soft pressure sensor linked to an Arduino, MAX/MSP, and Ableton Live. This integration transformed textile practices into a unique electro-acoustic instrument, emphasizing sewing gestures as sound and story. 

The project also drew on the repertoire of Bitter Blossoms, a folklore trio formed by Viktoria, Julie, and Phoebe in 2022. Their work explores traditional songs based on traditional stories, mythological folklore and plant knowledge and is often tied to themes of war, migration, and resilience, enriching the performance with layers of narrative depth. 

key activities and results 

creative development 

During the residency, the team engaged in intensive sessions to rehearse, arrange songs, refine cello parts, and develop the performance structure. Viktoria focused on spatial audio mapping, sensor integration, and creating the sewn fabric map. Despite limited time, the residency culminated in a compelling work-in-progress performance that established a solid foundation for future explorations. 

acknowledgements 

Viktoria extends her gratitude to Peter van Bergen and Studio Loos for their generous support and technical assistance. Special thanks to Julie Hasfjord, Phoebe Kirrage, Leah Plave, and Boyan Avramov for their creative contributions, and to Johan van Kreij for sensor programming support. Viktoria also thanks Andrew Hopper for audio and visual documentation and Klyl for sound management. Their engagement has significantly enriched Sewing Grounds as it continues to evolve into a multidisciplinary exploration of migration, memory, and cultural identity.