MUTEK in Barcelona has wrapped up the bookings for its big anniversary performance program taking place in both familiar and new venues around the city from March 6-9. For the last decade the festival has concentrated on live performances, captivating audiovisual work and unusual projects, always working to distinguish itself in its milieu while honing a commitment to its local community. This final release of names rounds out an auspicious edition that features a wide berth of contemporary artistry, serving to mark the festival’s first decade while also fixing its eyes and ears on the future:
A-Mint: Alex Braga & Francesco Tristano (IT/LU) / Birdsmakingmachine (ES) / DJ Fra (ES) / Ikram Bouloum (ES) Microfeel (AR) / Substance (DE) / Umo (ES) / Verraco (CO) / Ylia (ES)
Leading the charge in this final wave is a brand new collaboration between conceptual and performance artist Alex Braga and keyboardist Francesco Tristano that takes its acronym from Artificial Musical INTelligence. Joining the already electrifying A/Visions 2 program, algorithms designed by Braga interact with piano improvisations by Tristano to create real-time AI orchestrations and generative video.
The A-Mint project is presented as part of the strategy of ITmakES, which values Italian talent in the world and innovation in the cultural and creative industries, with the support of the Consulate General of Italy in Barcelona and Maker Faire Roma.
Legendary German artist Substance—aka DJ Pete and one half of Chain Reaction’s Scion—has released his first new material in 20 years which he’ll underline with a brand new live set of his industrial dubby excursions during Nocturne 2 on Saturday. The rest of the Nocturne programs are bolstered by local acts, DJ Fra, Ikram Bouloum and Ylia who will open the nights at Nitsa and Astin.
Thursday’s PLAY program at Laut emphasizes thick and variable industrial sonics with Colombia’s acclaimed Verraco, who runs the Insurgentes label and collective, joining Spanish live hardware pioneer Umo, and the previously announced Boska for an evening painted black. Saturday’s all day, multi-space extravaganza at Antiga Fábrica Damm adds pseudo-incognito, ornithologically inclined Spanish collective Birdsmakingmachine, who come back to MUTEK to perform their catchy productions live. Part of the MUTEK Barcelona family since the beginning, and an alumnus of the Buenos Aires and Mexico City editions, Argentinian multimedia artist and Barcelona resident Microfeel, fittingly helps launch the festival when he performs opening night at Roca Barcelona Gallery.
These finishing touches, join this complete lineup:
Alejandro Mosso (AR) / Boska (NO) / Don Sinini (UK) / Donato Dozzy (IT) Drakis (ES) ETM (ES) Flabbergast (CA/QC) Gábor Lázár (HU) HDMIRROR (ZA) / Herman Kolgen (CA/QC) Intercity-Express (JP) / Jacques Greene (CA/QC) Kelly Moran (US) / Kode 9 b2b Mala (UK) / Line Katcho (CA/QC) Low Jack (HN) Maayan Nidam (IL) Map.ache (DE) Martin Messier & YRO (CA+FR) Michele Mercure (US) Mina & Bryte (UK+GH) Mumdance (UK) Nonotak (JP/FR) Olaf Blanch (ES) Push 1 stop & Wiklow (CA/QC) Rafael Anton Irisarri (US) Sarah Davachi (CA) Slikback (KE) Still (IT) T. Gowdy (CA/QC) Uji (AR) Wolke7 (AR)
