Aquasonic//INTERNATIONAL

“Watching the presentation, it was hard to trust your own eyes”. Those were the words when New York Times reviewed AquaSonic when performed in Paris.

AquaSonic offers a concert experience completely out of the ordinary; a deep dive into a magical new universe of images and sounds that no one has ever produced before. The concert is a result of nearly two decades of experiments, conducted by the artists in collaboration with scientists, engineers, instrument makers and tech experts. Having performed worldwide, Between Music is now heading back home to Denmark to perform.

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LISTEN TO CONNECTED PODCAST

• RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER - 71 percent of the Earth surface is water. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. Water is omnipresent. In this episode we ask artists and festival creators about their relationship with water. Starring: Robert Karlsson (Between Music/AquaSonic), Betina Birkjær (Luna Park/SightSEAing), Var Bech Arting (RIVA/Minnisbrot), Willie White (Dublin Theatre Festival) and Adam Barrett (Luminato Festival).

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CONTEXT

Around us and within us, when there is too much or too little, water is a vital part of all life on earth. Yet, our knowledge and deeper understanding of it is remarkably small. And as the water's natural cycle becomes more and more invisible, our connections to water diminishes.

However, according to Between Music, art allows us to experience and connect anew. It allows us to activate our senses and discover this magical element from different perspectives, whether it is artistic, scientific, physical, symbolic or mythologic. That is why, Between Music has developed AquaSonic: to take new steps into explorations of human relations with water, and, accordingly, invite audiences to join us along the way. Their philosophy is: if you want to take care of something, you need to develop a close relationship with it. That is ultimately how Between Music is of assistance.

THE COMPANY

Between Music ́s work revolves around an artistic exploration of what we have in common as humans, as individuals, as a group – related to the nature, the world we live in and in spite of differences in culture, religion or social background. The company believes that embedded in each of us lies a deep knowledge and experience with the world that transcends boundaries and goes beyond words. As a headline for their artistic framework, ARS HUMANA serves as their term for unlocking this intuitive, emotional, and corporeal knowledge.

Between Music creates and produces unique art projects and innovative performance concerts in a hybrid of music, live performance, visual arts, architecture and new technology.

The group masters a vast range of aesthetics, skills and genres, but finds the most potential in the ever-fluctuating spaces between them. AquaSonic is Between Music´s largest production to date, but more work is on its way to a larger audience, including the installation Breaking the Surface, art film projects, workshops and more.

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY

The artistic research follows a broad network and collaborators across the world, and until now, Between Music has performed and worked in both Asia, Australia, North America and Europe. However, performing internationally is not a target on its own, but a way to fulfill the purpose of connecting and bringing awareness to people across cultures and geographies through the universal language of art. While in 2024, Between Music will have increased activity back home in Denmark, the next steps have been taken to create a cross-European project to be released in 2027.

CONTACT PERSON

Robert Karlsson, mail@betweenmusic.dk, +4526210263

FORMAT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Between Music bases their work on the principle of what they call ”Slow Art”. Basically, this means that they invest an enormous amount of time in the development and production of their work for long lasting livability and less waste of resources as their return of investment. Recently, Between Music has participated in the “International Touring and Environmental Responsibility Programme” at Julie’s Bicycle and the Danish and English Arts Council. Together with an UK agency, they are currently exploring a concept of Slow and Deep touring with AquaSonic and other water related activities using the knowledge learned from the Programme. This implies their ways of commuting when touring, the amount of time they stay in one place and adding more value to the places where tours take them, by creating side activities in the community such as workshops, talks, kids concerts etc.

TRIGGER WARNINGS

None. Though it can be an unusual experience watching the musicians playing submerged in water, the space is safe.

AUDIENCE TARGET GROUP

The target group consists of people of all ages and all social and cultural backgrounds.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Between Music has dedicated themselves to work in accordance with the principles of ”Art for everyone”, having no doubt that the language of art has the power to connect human experiences across cultures, languages and social backgrounds. Accordingly, their pieces and activities speak to the senses rather than the rational intellect and have passed the test to bring value to haute couture segments, homeless people and children alike.

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WHY THIS PIECE WAS SELECTED FOR CPH STAGE

The Danish show AQUASONIC has played all over the world - but never in Copenhagen. Therefore, we are both happy and proud to welcome a great international success to the festival. In a universe of water beyond this world, the audience is met by a strange and fascinating experience. What on the one hand seems like an impossible art is happening right before our eyes, and AQUASONIC offers both an aesthetic and musical dimension as the musicians play sonorously and move gracefully underwater.

AQUASONIC is a wild experience, with unique moments where even the audience holds their breath. 

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