Exclusive Interview with Alva Noto

Alva Noto returns to Berlin: Exclusive Interview

Warning: Contains flashing lights that may affect viewers with photosensitive epilepsy.

On the occasion of two sold-out concerts at Berghain (24 & 25 September 2025), Autotelic Foundation presents an exclusive interview with Carsten Nicolai, aka Alva Noto. These performances mark his first Berlin appearance in five years.

A leading figure in experimental electronic music and audiovisual art, Nicolai reflects on his singular practice, working at the intersection of science, sound, and visual media. Known for transforming minimalist sonic material into immersive visual environments, he explores how rhythm, architecture, and abstraction merge to create fully synaesthetic experiences.

Over the course of his career, Nicolai has received numerous international honors, including two Golden Nica awards from Ars Electronica, the Zurich Art Prize, and the German Documentary Film Music Award (2022). He has also composed acclaimed film scores, most notably for The Revenant (with Ryuichi Sakamoto), which earned nominations for a Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Grammy Award.