Ob-literate

In the summer of 2014 Gaudeamus brought together audio-visual artist Zeno van den Broek (b. 1982) and composer Gagi Petrovic (b. 1986) and commissioned a large scale composition project. The electro-acoustic piece Ob-literate is the duo’s resulting work for organ, vocal ensemble, electronics and custom built performative objects – world premiered at Nicolaikerk, Utrecht on 6 March 2016.

Drawing inspiration from articles revolving around the philosophical text The Destructive Character by Walter Benjamin, furthermore distilling words and concepts from interpretations by Dick Raaijmakers and the poem Étui by Adam Staley Groves, the two artists constructed a work which is intense and alienating in its deconstructive dismantling to create space for something altogether new.

concept & composition: Zeno van den Broek, Gagi Petrovic // soprano: Stephanie Pan, Anat Spiegel // baritone: Florian de Backere, Kevin Walton, Arnout Lems // organ: Jacob Lekkerkerker // electronics (cubes): Zeno van den Broek, Gagi Petrovic

Ob-literate was commissioned by Gaudeamus Muziekweek // Supported by Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Fonds21 and Dutch Performing Arts NL.