On 28 October Sonic Acts presents an evening about Dark Ecology as part of the Vincent on Friday series at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
The research and commissioning project Dark Ecology (2014–2016) is about rethinking the connections between humans and nonhumans, and reimagining our connections to the Earth and nature. Many of the works created for Dark Ecology can be seen as a new form of landscape art, revealing unexpected or hidden aspects of the landscape and our relation to it. As such they connect to the current Impressions of Landscape exhibition at the Van Gogh Museum about the discovery of the landscape by painters Daubigny, Van Gogh and Monet.
Bj Nilsen & Karl Lemieux, unearthed. Photo by Pieter Kers
HC Gilje, Barents (Mare Incognitum). Film still
Signe Lidén - krysning/conflux - Photo by Konstantin Guz
Joost Rekveld reflects on his participation in the three Dark Ecology research journeys (2014–2016) in the Barents Region. Sound artist Jana Winderen talks about her recent works, Pasvikdalen (2015) and Iskanten (2016), that deal with ecological issues in the Arctic. Signe Lidén’s krysnin/conflux (2014) is a ‘sound-measurement’ of the border-zone between Norway and Russia using a bow and arrow with recording devices and a weather balloon with a camera. HC Gilje’s Barents (Mare Incognitum) (2015) shows a slowly rotating view of the Barents Sea, and BJ Nilsen & Karl Lemieux perform unearthed (2014), an audiovisual work using materials collected around Nikel, where the sparse beauty of the Arctic landscape meets industrial decay and heavy pollution. The evening is moderated by Rosa Menkman, and accompanied by DJ-set by Yon Eta.
Programme
Guided tours l Daubigny, Monet, Van Gogh
7 pm in English and 8 pm in Dutch, start at the Entrance Hall Information Desk
Delve into the museum’s new exhibition: Daubigny, Monet, Van Gogh: Impressions of Landscape. Discover why mid-19th-century artists headed into nature and check out our version of Daubigny’s renowned studio boat.
Talks l Joost Rekveld and Jana Winderen, with introduction by Rosa Menkman
7:15 pm - 8:30 pm, Rietveld Room
Artist Joost Rekveld introduces you to the world of Dark Ecology. Jana Winderen uses ambient noises to create art, capturing an otherwise invisible world. This evening, Jana will let you hear her work and personally explain precisely what you’re listening to.
Film l Signe Lidén: krysning/пересечение/conflux
7:30 pm -9:30 pm, Auditorium
Signe Lidén captures various landscapes in the Norwegian/Russian border area from a unique perspective: during her field trips, she attaches a weather balloon with a camera to her backpack, which sways in the wind as it records the surroundings.
Performance l BJ Nilsen & Karl Lemieux: Unearthed
8:45 pm - 9:30 pm, Rietveld Hall
A performance by artists Karl Lemieux and Benny Nilsen in which analogue film recordings of the landscape are placed alongside and on top of each other, creating a new, layered composition. The performance is accompanied by live soundscapes.
Video | HC Gilje l Barents (Mare Incognitum)
7 pm - 9:30 pm, Rietveld Hall
Thanks to his rotating camera, above is below and east is west in HC Gilje’s productions. Check out the images he shot of the Barents Sea from a constantly changing perspective.
DJ l Yon Eta
7 pm - 9:30 pm, Entrance Hall
This winner of the Grote Prijs (a major Dutch award acknowledging talented new musicians) is characterised by his maximalist approach to music. Maximum sound, but minimal production processes. Yon Eta has previously collaborated with Amsterdam institutions including Foam and the EYE Filmmuseum. Yon regularly performs at Sonic Acts events such as Progress Bar, which is organised in collaboration with Lighthouse. Not music to work up a sweat to, but music for minimal movement.
More information and tickets