Tarek Atoui to create the next Commission for Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall

Tarek Atoui is an artist and composer celebrated for his innovative performances and installations that explore and challenge traditional perceptions of the medium of sound. Open to the public from 13 October 2026 to 11 April 2027, his new site-specific work for Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall will be the 11th in the series of commissions supported by Hyundai Motor.

Born in Beirut in 1980, Atoui lives and works in Paris, France. Drawing on his extensive research into music history, instrumentation and production, the artist creates multisensory environments that re-think how we understand and experience sound. Central to his practice is the invention of intricately engineered instruments, made in collaboration with other artists, composers and makers, which double as sculptural objects. Often featuring organic elements such as glass, water and ceramics, these custom-made and imaginatively rethought instruments are activated by touch, breath and motors. Atoui combines the resulting music with environmental recordings from various geographical locations and computer-generated sounds to create immersive installations and collaborative performances. Expanding the idea of sound beyond hearing, his work investigates how 'listening' can be experienced through multiple senses, including tactile and visual forms of perception.

Catherine Wood, Interim Director of Tate Modern, said: “Tarek Atoui has captivated audiences internationally with his boundary-pushing approach to sound. Blending music, technology, sculpture and performance, he is a truly cross-disciplinary artist whose work references current social, historical and political realities. Architectural space plays an important role in Atoui’s ongoing investigation into sound and vibration, and we can’t wait to see how he engages with audiences within the public space of Tate Modern's iconic Turbine Hall."