After four releases as composer performer for Moving Furniture Records, Zeno van den Broek makes a step to composer and joins the Contemporary Series with Relatum, an album with music written for HIIIT (formerly Slagwerk Den Haag), Gagi Petrovic and machines.Â
About Relatum
Relatum features two compositions revolving around the relationship and interplay between the human and the algorithmic, bringing together musicians and artificial performers.
MA(N|CHINE) with HIIIT (formerly know as Slagwerk Den Haag) is a composition for seven performers: four of flesh and blood and three of aluminium and copper wire. Through its three movements various interconnections between the players are explored. In the first movement an algorithmic system of electronics takes centre stage, devoid of any human intervention. Engagement by human performers with the electronic system and manipulation thereof by physically interacting with the bass drums and imitating the machine patterns, is brought to the fore in the second part. Movement three starts with a total synchronisation of all performers. This ‘sync’ shifts between an array of variations and relations, slowly evolving from ‘sync’ to ‘freedom’, allowing human performers more improvisational space while the machines assume a supportive role.
From Voice to Pulse shines new light on one of the oldest forms of music: the combination of voice and percussion. The piece takes shape in a partly algorithmic composition for percussion, performed by custom robotics, and for voice, performed by a human. The text as performed by Gagi Petrovic is written by the GPT-2 open-source artificial intelligence. This AI was trained on ‘Species of Spaces’ by Georges Perec and various Wikipedia pages on spatial perception. This process results in new and uncanny perspectives on the relationship between individuals and the (digital) spaces they inhabit, while simultaneously exploring new relationships between the binary character of the acoustic pulses and the expression of a digitally manipulated voice.Â
Reviews
Igloo Magazine, Pietro Da Sacco
Relatum features two compositions revolving around the relationship and interplay between the human and the algorithmic, bringing together musicians and artificial performers.
MA(N|CHINE) with HIIIT (formerly know as Slagwerk Den Haag) is a composition for seven performers: four of flesh and blood and three of aluminium and copper wire. Through its three movements various interconnections between the players are explored. In the first movement an algorithmic system of electronics takes centre stage, devoid of any human intervention. Engagement by human performers with the electronic system and manipulation thereof by physically interacting with the bass drums and imitating the machine patterns, is brought to the fore in the second part. Movement three starts with a total synchronisation of all performers. This ‘sync’ shifts between an array of variations and relations, slowly evolving from ‘sync’ to ‘freedom’, allowing human performers more improvisational space while the machines assume a supportive role.
From Voice to Pulse shines new light on one of the oldest forms of music: the combination of voice and percussion. The piece takes shape in a partly algorithmic composition for percussion, performed by custom robotics, and for voice, performed by a human. The text as performed by Gagi Petrovic is written by the GPT-2 open-source artificial intelligence. This AI was trained on ‘Species of Spaces’ by Georges Perec and various Wikipedia pages on spatial perception. This process results in new and uncanny perspectives on the relationship between individuals and the (digital) spaces they inhabit, while simultaneously exploring new relationships between the binary character of the acoustic pulses and the expression of a digitally manipulated voice.Â
CD limited to 300 or digital available in our webshop.
Or find the album in your preferred streaming service:Â https://orcd.co/relatum
Zeno van den Broek
Zeno van den Broek is a composer and artist who explores the intricate relationship between humans and technology. Through his audiovisual creations, he delves into how our interactions with fabricated environments shape our experiences. Van den Broek’s works challenge the conventional understanding of how we perceive and engage with technology-infused spaces. By creating intense and thought-provoking experiences, he disrupts our habitual consumption of these spaces and interactions, prompting us to venture beyond our comfort zones and actively explore new possibilities.
His intention is to generate moments of disruption, friction, and potential, awakening our sense of agency and urging us to break free from our routine engagement with technology. In doing so, he invites visitors to become active participants in his art, playing an integral role in its realization and leaving a lasting impact.
He is currently focusing on his Fast Forward Trajectory, supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL, which enables him to work with renowned international partners such as Percussions de Strasbourg to build valuable new bridges between bits and atoms. Zeno will be deepening the relationship between the human and the algorithmic, focusing on bringing together musicians and artificial performers on stage.
Zeno van den Broek frequently works with esteemed partners such as Gaudeamus, LI-MA and Slagwerk Den Haag. He presents his work at venues and festivals such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Old Church Amsterdam, Rewire and STRP.
Supported by: Mondriaan Fund, Performing Arts Fund NL, Creative Industries Fund NL, Fonds21, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Stichting Stokroos, Stichting Niemeijer Fonds, Machinerie.
HIIIT (Formerly Slagwerk Den Haag)
HIIIT (formerly Slagwerk Den Haag) is – ever since its founding in 1977 – fascinated by everything concerned with sound, pulse and materials that produce sound. The podium artists and highly versatile creators and cocreators aim to amaze and enrich time after time, in every setting imaginable. Both on the traditional arsenal of instruments, as well as on porcelain, equine jaws, glass or 3D-printed instruments. HIIT projects reflect the very latest developments, because everything within the power of the members is done to help in the quest for the undiscovered.
HIIIT works alongside trendsetting artists and makers, such as composers Steve Reich, Michael Gordon and Yannis Kyriakides, pianist Ralph van Raat, dance company Club Guy & Roni and illustrator Wouter van Reek. Leading partners, also from other disciplines, are among others Orkater, Asko| Schönberg, Veenfabriek and Kytopia. The playing field is extensive; from Bang on a Can in New York to Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ in Amsterdam, from the Holland Festival to the slums of Cairo and from classroom to the Dutch Oerol Festival. On a regularly basis SDH goes on tour which brought the company to venues in Europe, the United States of America, the Middle East, Japan and recently Indonesia.
Apart from concerts, on HIIT’s program are also dance performances, education, (family)music theatre, special events and talent development.
The New York Times described HIIIT as ‘…dazzling percussion group, similarly combined virtuosity and theatricality…’.
Gagi Petrovic
Gagi Petrovic is an award-winning composer, performer, producer and teacher of music. With his versatile taste and expertise, he works in performative settings and releases concept albums. His pieces and songs have elements that are acoustic and electronic, intense and intimate; it’s odd and familiar. Aesthetically his work moves in the grey area of progressive composition, digital electronics and alternative pop. Conceptually his music often covers themes like oppression, isolation, deviation from convention, existential topics and what it means to be free.
The use of technology often plays a big role in his creative process, as well as his preference to keep pushing music forward. As an artist he mostly works in an autonomous fashion, where research in expression and exploring boundaries guide creative decisions. He receives commissions to write for soloist, small ensembles and acousmatic settings. Frequently, he designs music for other media, such as contemporary dance, theatre, video art and documentary. The recent collaboration with choreographer Cherish Menzo for ‘D̶A̶R̶K̶MATTER‘ (2022) has received international recognition through repeated prolonged tours, reviews and a multitude of nominations and prizes.
Gagi Petrovic has a special interest in how music moves us both physically and mentally; how such abstract languages enable us to reflect on a particular sense of reality, escape it or even question it
