Vesalius seeks support: Experiencing sound like a foetus in the womb
A showpiece of the Vesalius Museum will undoubtedly be the sonic womb, an immersive installation that lets visitors experience how and what a foetus hears in the womb, a translation of scientific research to a wide audience.
You will hear sounds as if the abdominal wall is between you, in the background the intestines grunt and the mother's heart beats. But that's not all. You will also feel the sound. After all, a foetus is in amniotic fluid, which spreads sound vibrations.
This experience is not a gimmick, but the result of scientific research. We are working with the scientists behind the University of London's multidisciplinary research project Sonic Womb. Led by Professor Eric Jauniaux, internationally recognised specialist in the field of foetal medicine, and Professor Julian Henriques, leading expert in the field of auditory research, this team of scientists, engineers and sound artists is trying to mimic the experience of hearing in the womb in an acoustically optimised confined space. In this way, they aim to improve care for preterm infants. Previously, incubators made a sound like hail falling on a greenhouse, causing stress. By studying the auditory environment of the womb, we can also imitate it, which increases the well-being of preterm infants. So, with the immersive sonic womb, we bring state-of-the-art research to a wide audience.
The cost of this sonic womb has been estimated at 100,000 euros. You can support the production of this high-tech installation with a donation of 150, 300 or 600 euros.
Would you rather use a bank transfer to support? You can do so via the account number BE45 7340 1941 7789 with the structured message +++400/0025/96710+++.
Discover the other crowdfunding actions to support the Vesalius Museum:
Lend a hand to the restoration of anatomical wall plates
‘Buy’ your seat in the Surgery Auditorium
Wanted: partners for Vesalius
The Vesalius Museum will be a unique museum in the heart of Leuven about science and well-being with the life cycle of humans as a common thread. It will be housed in the former pathological institute and anatomical theatre on Minderbroedersstraat, where students and researchers from the Faculty of Medicine still roamed until a few years ago. The Vesalius Museum is a joint project of KU Leuven and Leuven University Hospitals and targets a wide audience: from schoolchildren, students and healthcare professionals to tourists and companies. The museum will open its doors on 9 December 2025, not coincidentally the day the Leuven University was officially founded in 1425.
Vesalius is looking for partners and making a warm appeal to contribute to this unique project. A donation to the Vesalius Museum means a valuable contribution to the new hotspot for all those involved in medicine and healthcare. For donations of 40 euros or more, donors receive a tax certificate that allows them to receive 45% of the amount back as tax relief.
© Wondering
This exceptional initiative is endorsed by Alfagen, the alumni association of KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine.
The Vesalius Museum will be the icing on the cake for the celebration of 600 years of KU Leuven. Do you have questions about these actions? Then feel free to contact Griet Dobbelaere. More info on the celebration year can be found at kuleuven.be/600years.
