Freemote Festival 07-11 December Utrecht Holland

FREEMOTE 11 : Threshold edition

Electronic Arts & Co-Creation Festival
December 07 until December 11 : Utrecht (Holland)

At the heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht is known to be a vibrating student city with a wide range of cultural events and in the forefront of the cool festivals like TodaysArt, Le Guess Who and Freemote.

The 11th edition of Freemote offers a dynamic contemporaneous interactive experience in-between new media artists that will collaborate in installations, performances, exhibitions, screenings, AV performances that takes places in a former railway warehouse transformed into a digital playground. Video mapping, data visualization and electronics master-classes will be available, many acts like Knalpot, Individualism, Bitbasic (UK) Einóma (IS), Daniel Zuur, Krampfhaft, Tarik Barri and Julien Mier plus some of the best vj's in Europe that will show their newest works.

Watch | Freemote 2011 Teaser
Watch | Julien Mier & Daan Kars - Passenger

Rewire Festival Den Haag 05 November Review

A few weeks back when i heard about the Rewire Festival and knew that the French Born Belgium based composers Sylvain Chauveau was going to be present i knew i had to go, im such a big fan of his piano based works and was with so much expectations on the start of the evening.

Unfortunately there was no piano and was more a experimental drone with field recording micro sounds with some vocals, quite electro-acoustic orientated, the room and so still and so dark that had this filling that we were in some sort of sci-fi suspense triller and all the sounds and noises like door opening, people whispering, glass falling, chairs noises, ghostly shadows actually sounded orchestrated with was going on the stage.

You can imagine, one think is to listen home in your hi-fi set up and really grasp and enjoy Sylvain music the way it should be but generally was a very good experience and even if Sylvain was a bit upset with the loud reverbs and feed back during the concert i think is not reason enough to stop with the live performances because after all his work is in such high demand although he stooped playing piano.



The second concert was by Machinefabriek & Peter Broderick or machines vs man and it was the first attempt to interpret live their 2009 album collaboration "Blank Grey Canvas Sky". During the sound check it sounded awkward and they decided to move to a 100% improvisation piece and im very glad they did, it was so overwhelming to actually see and understand the structure of their creative process, while Rotterdam's Rutger Zuydervelt or Machinefabriek arsenal of dense and sonic noises the American multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick was creating all sorts of layered melodies with the violin, guitar, piano, being a human beat box and even more awesome using a saw to create sounds like it was a violin, even more impressive were Peter body movements during the improvisation that gave the impression that he was part of the music itself, so much dedication and passion to make and take all the most beautiful sounds and then building them together layer by layer, just stunning.



For Nils Frahm & Anne Müller the room was packed and i must say that it was wonderful to see so much interest on the modern classical genre.
They played two separated pieces that sounded quite improvised but actually they have some melodies from their 2010 album 7 fingers and them from there they continue because on Anne Müller words "Nils always needs a lot of space to improvisation".
I was sitting in the back and couldn't see anything but was lucky enough to have spotted a side show on the right side wall, the shadows of Nils and Anna moving to the incredible gorgeous music that was coming out of their instruments. Nils what a stage magnetism and the way they combined from moments of pure minimal Piano/Cello glorious ambients to absolute ragging battle in a complete controlled hysteria, UAU.
After the first piece was over the room simply erupted on applause and an emotional Peter Broderick jumped on stage to congratulate them, that was so beautiful. Nils Frahm & Anne Müller was probably my favorite ever Piano/Cello concert and not only they are exceptional musicians but also super cool, happy and charming persons as well.

After the concert i ask them for a few minutes to take a picture and we talked a bit about Nils new album, "Felt" is out on Erased Tapes and Nils couldn't be more satisfied with the reviews, Anne is also very busy with various projects and collecting sounds and ideas for her debut lp



After the Modern Classical came the dark electronics commonly known as "Drag" or "Witch House". The program started with Manchester's Holy Other that i knew from name but not his music. An apocalyptic vision of muncks murmurs, dense bass and post-dubstep beats were the predominant of his performance but not much could be expected from a guy hiding is face with a black cloth probably pretending to be death itself.



oOoOO probably one of the most strange names you'll ever come across but despite that little detail San Francisco based Chris Dexter Greenspan is on the front row of the "Witch-House" scene and his a regular on my playlists , last night appeared with a backing singer that gave a R&B touch and his performance becomes altogether more charming than the lone ranger behind the laptop, his music moves inside a darker hip hop party in a industrial area and its steamy, hot and sexy, well done !!!!


Thank you very much to the Rewire Festival for including Audiopleasures in the press list and success with preparing the 2012 edition.

Gijs van Lith, Dutch Abstract Painter Interview

Im thrilled and happy to post the interview with Hertogenbosch based Dutch Abstract Painter Gijs van Lith . I found Gijs paintings for the first time in a random Art walk in Amsterdam, first just by a simply glimpse from the gallery window i could see the massive canvas with abstract structures couldn't resist the appeal and was overwhelmed with the deept and intensity of the paintings.

Gijs van Lith was nominated for several awards and prizes, won the Amsterdam Young Art Talent in 2009 and his nominated for the 2012 Royal Dutch Painting, Gijs paintings can be seen in several exhibitions in the coming months and in private collections like Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.



How do you define abstract art ?

well, personally i don’t see a difference between abstract or figurative art.



But your paintings are mainly abstract ??

Yes my works fall in that category at the moment, but I prefer not to think in those terms and cubicles.
Abstract art for me, is most of the time more pure, clear less distractions. There is more space/room for depth and its more universal. The image is sometimes more dominate and can distract the viewer. And affects the story of a artwork. But sometimes it comes together in the right way.
I’m painter, and currently my work falls within the category ‘Abstract’. But my latest works are both abstract and figurative. They’re called ‘A paintings womb’ and are the remains of painterly actions on a wall, of a artists studio. So some people will recognize this display and some won’t. But that’s oke.

I have two subjects that interest me; but my main focus lies on the paint it selves (the matter its selves, the act of painting, how color and form work, mainly the way the give depth)
The second subject is ‘painting’ it selves (the medium and ((art))history). Where do you place your selves .

So that’s why i show in the personal and introvert studio, no finished museum art piece but its womb.



Is Abstract Art a secret language of the senses?

No but maybe obscure one or language of a very few can speak. Maybe because we people have a more of a ‘you-tube mentality’, a concentration span of 3minutes. So it takes a bit a time, effort to truly see/read a painting and appreciates what the work is about. So that means you (the viewer) understands what decisions where made in the making and thinking--process till how it compare to the oeuvre and other works of the artist. And how it will position its selves with in art as well.
Because most people are used to look at a artwork, and see a more in a direct translation that represents the story. But I believe that it is more interesting to make work that doesn’t react or connect with directly to a situation within society or what is typical for a certain ‘time-geist’. I like that in a work or a series you as a viewer can see a personal development and read the steps a artist takes and appreciate the new things the artist is including in is work. And that maybe later on that symbolize as a mark for that specific time.



what do you think of the concept Abstract being " Everything and Nothing" ?

Willem de Kooning sad it best, I think.
he was looking for a form that could hold anything, nothing and something. And i believe that I’m getting closer and closer to my form that can hold anything.



How can you define that concept that your looking for ??

well, its a certain necessity, and longing urge



that sounds like Philosophy and Psychology in one sentence ?

Well making is thinking…after making, thinking and analyzing a work again and again is sort of a physical dialog with a work.
The work needs to feel right, like given the right answer the a question. It’s all in there and when you have enough right and wrong answers, you'll figgere out the question(s). But of course you have a starting point that involves your personal interest and fascinations. I’m really interested in the matter it selves, the paint. The way shape and color give depth. Also themes as mentality and time I find very interesting. In my latest two series ‘Skin’ and ‘A paintings womb’ becomes more clear. I see sometimes some similarities in my work and the way ledger is made in a shoe or coat or the rings of a tree. And I’m busy with more general and universal questions like; what is today’s position of painting?



Do you want to express and analyze yourself at the same time in your paintings. Sort of a scientist of the canvas?

No I don’t, I do recognized some parts of me, but in the process I don’t preserve the canvas as a mirror of me when I’m making.



Mark Rothko masterpieces were thought over and over as a mean to awakening of the social triviality of the daily live no to please but to shock

yes he's one of my favorites



What do you like about his work ?

his shows with great extravagance the plus-value of paint and the choice to only act as a painter. There is no other medium that he can use to represent and feel his message. Here painting is irreplaceable.
Why paint and why use paint if there are better-suited media to get your message better across.
Rothko shows that his work speaks to the soul of persons, and at the same time it symbolizes that if you paint and act only in painting, show the necessity of that specific choice.
He sometimes compares his work with a visit to a play in a theater, he sad something like; you could go the a theater but if you really wanna see a great play come and see my work.



what's you fuel ? what makes you feel wild and start painting ?

Sometimes a great show/exhibition. Sometime a good text I read, or a minder-wonder. But mainly it’s in the small things, a glimpse of a visual phenomena, when i see something out-side or in town. Colors/shapes that interest me, i see them for what they are to me, without what they represent to the rest of the world.



what is you biggest ambition as a painter ?

oeh! thats a difficult one, I ll have to call on the fifth amendment ;).
biggest ambition is: when i can say that i found the perfect answer to my question and then I’ll stop painting probably

i work normally 5/6 days a weeks
and i find about 80/90 'answers' a year, and probably about ten/twenty right ones.



After every answer is a new bigger question, so you will paint forever ?

yep;) I found some answers down the last 3 years. But much bigger ones came to follow. Which is nice and interesting how that evolves.

you have a creative and inquisitive mind that is the trade mark of a great thinker :)

Le Guess Who? and State-X New Forms 2011 Festivals in Holland

On the coming months two cities in Holland present then selfs has the coolest places to be, two great festival in Utrecht and The Hague with a fabulous line up literally for all tastes, Garage Rock, Electronic, Bedroom Pop, Experimental, Singer-Songwriter, Indie, Alternative, Punk Rock, Modern Classical, Synth-Wave, Electro, Gothic, Hip Hop that promises to be a real bang of massive cool bands.
So i take my hat off to the organization of this two brilliant events for bringing so much cutting edge and independent artists to Holland.


Le Guess Who?

A Winged Victory For The Sullen/ Pure X/ Sleep Over/ Zola Jesus / Roll the Dice/ Panda Bear / Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / Bill Callahan / Gang Gang Dance / Suuns / John Maus / Low / Fool's Gold / Zomby / Givers / Akron/Family / My Brightest Diamond/ Shabazz Palaces / Nisennenmondai / Braids / Pinback / Pink Mountaintops... / Okkervil River / Com Truise / The Besnard Lakes / Tarwater / Puro Instinct / Om Unit /Slugabed / Cheveu / Bass Drum Of Death / Doshy / Bo Ningen / Richard Buckner / Dan Haywood's New Hawks / Holloy's / Still Corners / Oy Division / Pursuit Grooves / Babe Rainbow / Group Inerane / Socalled / Orchestra Of Spheres


State-X New Forms

Duchess Says/ Flying Lotus/ Black Lips/ Actress/ Buke and Gass/ The Dodos/ Sleepingdog/ Dustin O’Halloran/ High Places/ Jimmy Edgar/ Oy/ Objekt/ Sunburned Hand of the Man/ Baby Dee/ Tyondai Braxton and lots more

Black Box Red @ Sonic Connections Amsterdam 21 April

Amazing discovery last night during Sonic Connections in Amsterdam ...
Black Box Red are Eva van Netten Guitar/Vocal/Synth and Stefan Woudstra Drums/Vocal from Leeuwarden in the North Holland.
Their sound its taken from the DIY dance punk with the right dose of electro and their influences sounded like a mix of Blood Red Shoes, Dutchess Says, Kap Bambino, We are Wolves, Death from Above and i was extremely impressed with their live performance ... the drums are insanely cool and Stefan doesn't give it a rest and bangs it frenetically and everything moves in perfect harmony with the synth and guitar riffs from punky vocals and attitude from Eva. Basically their music is Noisy, Sexy, Raw and Loud and something you have to see live.

They have a couple of tracks on their soundcloud and watch out for the awesome The Clash cover that really makes justice to their talent.



Watch | BlackboxRed - Howling Wolf (Live @ De Brakke Grond Amsterdam 21/04/2011)
Listen | Black Box Red - Brand New Cadilac (The Clash Cover)
Listen | Black Box Red - She Pulls Her Gun

upcoming NL & UK gigs

Ringo Deathstarr @ The Irrational Library, Patronaat Haarlem

Noisy Texas Shoegazers Ringo Deathstarr in HAARLEM next Saturday as special Audiopleasures guest at the Irrational Library in the Patronaat !!! Many thanks to Joshua at the Library, Patronaat and Robin Allport at the Club AC30 Records London ... best birthday present ever

Listen | Ringo Deathstarr - Do It Every Time
Watch | Ringo Deathstarr - So High
Watch | Ringo Deathstarr - Imagine Hearts

+
Fuz (NL), Thomas Truax (USA) and The Optic Nerves (UK)

Its also my birthday party
and its all for FREE !!!!

Autumn in De Hoge Veluwe National Park Netherlands

Pictures by Wim Raaijen

Anneke Wilbrink Interview

"Anneke Wilbrink
graduated from the Frank Mohr Institute, MF Groningen in 2004. Since then she has exhibited widely in a variety of European galleries and museums. In 2004she was nominated for the Prix de Rome (drawing), and she received the Royal Dutch Award for painting in 2006."

By pure accident i discovered Anneke work two years ago in the Young Art Gallery in Amsterdam, i was walking by and i saw this big paintings that looked liked abstract structures and i had to get in, what i saw was stunning, labyrinth landscapes that could either be the remains of an ancient civilization that was swallowed by the ocean or waking up after a beautiful dream with the eyes blurred and thinking if this were clouds reflecting a secret dimension. Anneke lives and works in Zwolle, capital city of the province of Overijssel, Netherlands



What is art in your perspective?

I can only tell about my own art. It has everything to do with my consciousness and the way I live.
There is not much difference between the things that I feel and think when painting and when travelling or having a good time.
I try to put my visions and feelings in my art in a way that the visual creation can communicate with the viewer.



How would you define your paintings ?

I have a DVD at home with Irish music and images of the country which is called: Visuals for your Body and Mind. It is a very commercial and common piece, nothing artistic on it Yet I like it. Once I was thinking to give an exhibition that title.
I also define my painting often as landscapes, because while watching a painting, one like to see where one is standing, I mean a point of view from which everything is in the right perspective.
Well, that is not the case in my painting of landscapes. I do play with points of view while I am painting. The result is sometimes clear, other times it is fuzzy from which point the painting can be seen when looking for something like perspective.



When you were young did you intend to become a professional artist?

No , never i did not know what a professional painter was. (i thought painters lived in the past)
I must have been in my early twenties when I discovered contemporary art. The moment I discovered contemporary art is something I still feel as a second birth .



What type of art were you making in secondary school?

In secondary school , I did not have any idea of what to do in my life. On university, I studied half a year on theology. But I was thinking more of doing something with music. When I went tot the academy of art, I liked to make large pictures, which i filled with strange building structures and fiction buildings.



While you were attending college were there any professors who influenced the building of your career?

I liked art history a lot. When they taught about artists from earlier periods, I could imagine I was doing the same in my lifetime. I admired all those painters..



Was it difficult for you to develop your own style?

It is just something that grows while working. For me , it began on art school.
While I am working, I let go of thinking about subjects or something as ideas. I totally depend on my instincts and intuition. The style is an outcome that I am not interested in while working.
Everything just happens. But I am very much aware of the fact that my art studies, which took 6 intensive years, are always somewhere hidden in the background while I am working.



In 2006 you won the Dutch Royal Prize of Contemporary Painting. How important was it for your carrier ?

It was very important for me. It put me on the map. Suddenly, a lot of persons got interested in my work and bought it. As a result of the money I made, i could work intensively for new shows…



Who are the artists who inspire you today?

I have a strong bond with the well known painters who are presented in museums like the impressionism, the Modern Abstracts. A lot of the work of now-a-days artists that I see all over the world gives me a boost that drives me back to my studio. It is not about picking up ideas; it has everything to do with the energy they give me, Seeing art is great. Talking about inspiration, I have to say that I can experience music very intense. Sometimes i compare my work with several types of music..



How important is it to remain true to yourself and your individual vision as an artist?

On one hand, it is important to remain true to myself and my individual vision as an artist. But to renew myself and my art, it is important to leave my opinions and every now and then I have to surprise myself.
A new painting has to be an adventure and a surprise for myself.
In painting It is the same as in live…when you are not honest it does not work and it feels bad.



You have had many exhibitions, which one did you enjoyed the most?

Vegas gallery london…
Bright new work in a nice place.



How do you feel about people reaction to your work?

I do react on that. I like to communicate and i still feel it as a miracle when it works, I mean, when my art communicates as I hope it could do.



What are your futures plans when it comes to your paintings ?

Recently, my artbook has been published; it contains work over the last 8 years,
It is a sort of time-travel to look back what i have done.
So i am very curious my self to see and start with making new work.

Anneke paintings are now in exhibition in the Kasteel het Nijenhuis untill the 10 of October, for more information please visit The Museum Foundation

Olga Mink Interview

Olga Mink works in the fields of new media, live performance, video- and interactive art, exploring new possibilities in digital representation. With a strong emphasis to conceptual approaches, her work crosses boundaries between music, photography, architecture, poetry, nature, dance, public spaces and engaged themes. Her installation Ballet Mechanique explored the idea of physicality in the virtual (projected) environment, whilst Video_matic employed touch screens and online interactive works as part of a permanent installation for a new building. Work has been released on labels internationally, whilst her expansive live performances been seen in Europe, United States and Japan. Her works have been displayed at Tate Britain, Empac New York, Sonar in Spain, and the Grand Canaria Biennial amongst others. She also works as a curator in audiovisual arts and digital media. Mink lives and works in The Netherlands.



1 - Nam June Paik, one of the most important video-artists said “As the glue took over the paint, also the cathode ray tube will replace the canvas”. Do you think that’s what happening in art, nowadays?

I think the screen did replace the canvas, but all is in flux and I see a need for non-screen based arts nowadays. People want to explore works beyond the screen, and make something that is more tangible and human again. There’s a need for more human elements in digital art to identify ourselves with. I think screen-based art will continue to exist merely on the net. However, the need for film and {live} cinematic experiences, will remain to be an important artform.

2. What’s the main concept in your videos? Do you consider being video art?

My video’s contain a wide range of themes and conceptual approaches. I like to explore different kinds of narratives, forms, and context issues. An important aspect in my work is to create a tension between the actual space, the projection and the spectators’ perception. I like to capture one’s focus and create an immersiveness to fully absorb one’s attention and drift into another possible world, to evoke a sensory experience.

3. Where do you get the inspiration? What kind of music, video or other arts forms do you seek to inspire your projects?

I enjoy working with people that explore new boundaries in art, life, music, technology. I am mostly interested in ambient orientated arts, and like to work
with people that are also interested in these fields, wether this is music, art, architecture, ballet, electronics. My work with Scanner has resulted in projects
that explored ideas in nature and digital media. We tried to create a dialogue and response to many digital arts nowadays, that is merely driven by technological and minimal esthetics.

4. How is all the creative and editing process?

I don’t make a distinction between the creative and production process. The creative is embedded in the whole production process, and I prefer to be able to make choices at any time, and to value them as equally important. I prefer having a non-fixed idea to a certain extend. The idea of creating something that already exists and just has be produced doesn’t sound appealing to me. This would bypass the creative exploration which is the core of my practice as an artist..

5. You link all the nowadays technology: video, photography, live performances, installations…Is this the future of Art? All together, making a concept like “The Definitely Art”?

The future of art is now, and as an artist you are shaping the world you live in tomorrow. Mixing hybrid media and working within interdisciplinary art has
been within my interest for years. A creative method involves implementing new ways, ideas and technologies. New Media guru Lev Manovich, explained hybrid media as a fundamental transformation, in his discourse about a “silent revolution”. Media hybridity especially in moving image, occurred from the use of various software applications, in the past decade. Software such as after affects enabled artists to mix all forms of screen based content, to create a new kind of [abstract or visual] narrative. The internet has been a main influence for this too. This idea of ‘remixology’ is a base for new developments and further explorations. Nowadays, there’s a general shift from the virtual to the real world and an unlimited number of challenges are yet to be explored. What major transformation may occur out of this, is an interesting topic to think about, but impossible to predict in advance.

6. You recent release your project “Atlantida”at 2nd Biennial of the Canaries 2009. How was the experience?

Very good, we got to see some exotic and remote places. The Canarian islands are very beautiful and the change of scenery in such a short time was a unique experience. I mean, how often do you get to explore seven islands in seven days? Nevertheless, it has been a week of hard working too. Every day existed of getting up early, driving through mountainy terrains, catching a plane or boat (imagine the last minute stress), hiring a car, checking-in hotels, and finding the best location for filming. Although the trip was well arranged, we still had to sort these things out ourselves, ofcourse. But it has been an amazing opportunity and the results came out very well. At the time we didn’t know wether we would be able to figure out the balloon shots, and our main idea was to use smoke. We wanted to use flairs, but didn’t get permission from the organization as this could cause issues with the local authorities. Luckily the balloons worked out well and the installation has been received as one of the best during the expo!



Watch | Atlantida, Installation at 2nd Biennial of the Canaries 2009

7. Do you prefer to work alone or do you consider more productive working with other artists?

Sometimes working on your own can be very relaxing and totally great. Other times I need to interact with other people, and miss the vibrant interaction you can get from collaborating. If there’s a good flow, something unique can be created out of collaborative projects. It can be easier to push new boundaries and expand on ideas that are beyond the usual. On the downside of things, collaboration can also be limiting, which is something you would want to avoid at any time..

8. Why the decision to put the videos on vimeo and youtube?
Do you defend thedemocratization of art?

I just enjoy sharing what I make, and to use the social network aspect of web2.0. It’s a sign of the time and an opportunity to expand on new ideas and interact with others. It’s a way to communicate, connect, react and interfere with other peers. I hardly submit work to video-screenings, as instead my videos are available on the net. Though, this doesn’t count for live performance or installation based work, which I absolutely love to present in the flesh and could never be fully experienced elsewise.

9. Which is your foresight for the development of Video Art in Europe?

I don’t think any developments are limited to Europe, but my thoughts about this in media- and video art, would be dealing with emergent technology in holography, stereoscopic projection, augmented reality, infrared motion tracking, ambient technology, and ubiquitous computing..

Olga Mink Links

Videology
Vimeo
Myspace
Facebook

Thank you,
Miguel Peres

Le Guess Who ? Festival

Le Guess Who ? Festival
Utrecht 27 - 30 Novembre

Thursday 27 nov | Tivoli Oudegracht | 19:00 u | 20:00 u | 14,-
MELISSA AUF dER MAUR OUT OF OUR MINDS" MAdM Project Le Guess Who? met o.a. Simon Angell en Erika Alexandersson

Thursday 27 nov | Ekko | 20:00 u | 20:30 u | 13,-
Fred Eaglesmith, Katie Stelmanis

Friday 28 nov | Tivoli de Helling | 19:00 u | 19:45 u | 10,-
Telepathe, Dragons Of Zynth, Pas Chic Chic, Beach House, Jana Hunter

Saturday 29 nov | Tivoli Oudegracht | 16:00 | toegang met Le Guess Who? kaartje/passepartout
Masterclass & expositie Jack Dylan

Saturday 29 nov | Tivoli Oudegracht | 18:30 u | 19:00 u | 13,-
The Stills, Think about Life, torngat, Land of Talk, Elfin Saddle

Saturday 29 nov | Tivoli de Helling ism Bar Weinig | 23:00 u | 10,-
The Mole, Fairmont, Pan/Tone

Sunday 30 nov | Ekko | 18:30 u | 19:30 u | 9,-
HRSTA, Shalabi Effect - (w/ Sam Shalabi & Anthony Seck) & Elizabeth Anka Vajagic