Umut Eldem is a composer, audiovisual artist, and researcher. His compositions and research focus on the exploration of music within an interdisciplinary and technological context. He holds a PhD from the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, where he is currently a lecturer and research group coordinator. He teaches courses and leads workshops in Audiovisual Composition, Musical Analysis, and Electronic Music. As a Max Certified Trainer, he also regularly organizes workshops on algorithmic composition and generative art.
Umut began his composition studies at the Mimar Sinan State Conservatory in Istanbul, Turkey, under the guidance of Prof. Hasan Uçarsu and Prof. Mehmet Nemutlu. During his Bachelor’s education, he participated in the Erasmus student exchange program, studying under Prof. Francesco Telli at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, Italy. After receiving his Bachelor’s diploma in Composition, he pursued his Master’s studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp with Prof. Wim Henderickx and Prof. Luc van Hove. He successfully completed his doctoral studies at the same institution, with his dissertation Hearing Glass: Synesthetic Correspondences in Music-Based Audiovisual Art, focusing on the applicability of the science and artistic history of synesthesia and color as a basis for audiovisual composition.
Umut Eldem’s works explore the interaction of music in multisensory spaces, engaging with visuals and incorporating advanced technologies. Many of his compositions are informed by synesthetic principles, while others utilize innovative technologies such as sensors, machine learning, generative algorithms, and artificial intelligence to create novel experiences. He has given lectures on his academic work regarding synesthesia and technology and has had his works performed and presented in many countries around the world.