HUMANS, ROBOTS, WOODEN FRIENDS, SPACE & TIME
In the magnificently renovated KMSKA museum in Antwerp, musician Stef Kamil Carlens provided an artistic, theatrical and profound nocturne.
During 'KMSKA LAAT', Stef Kamil Carlens, as 'Artist in Residence', invited virtuoso musicians to bring a work of art to life on four consecutive Thursdays. SKC and guests each created a soundscape through improvisation around a selected work from the KMSKA collection. This was done with the help of robots, large and small, playing instruments. A selection of pieces from Carlens' own visual work gave extra color to the entire event. The vibrations of the music and the overall setting had to give the works of art new life and a multiple appearance.
THEO VAN RYSSELBERGHE
Maria Sèthe At The Harmonium
HUMANS
Alban Sarens Hohner Pianet, baritone & tenor sax
Nel Ponsaers harmonium, musical saw, voice
Rahmat Emonds violin, mandolin, voice
Stef Kamil Carlens sequencing, bass, analog synths
ROBOTS
Decap, Logos Foundation, Polyend, Dada Machines
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The universe of singer-songwriter Stef Kamil Carlens is supported by the visual arts. He rehearses, composes, invents, and plays in his recording studio 'The Rabbit Field' in Hoboken BE. Not only does he edit sound recordings and videos with his music, but he also assembles sculptures with reclaimed wood and enlivens them with colorful paint. With these works of art, his self-designed clothes, and brotherly musician friends, he brings a 'tableau vivant' to life at the KMSKA four weeks in a row.
During the first episode of 'Meeting at the Museum', the occasional ensemble played next to the pointillist portrait of Maria Sèthe, a painting by neo-impressionist Theo Van Reysselberghe (1862-1926). This work was first shown in 1891 at the Société des Artistes Indépendants in Paris. For this ‘Meeting at the Museum’ Maria Sèthe appeared near the harmonium of 'Humans, Robots and Wooden Friends', passionately assisted by the lively and empathetic musicians Nel Ponsaers (harmonium, electric piano, vocals, musical saw), Rahmat Emonds (violin, mandolin, voice), Alban Sarens (Hohner Pianet, baritone and tenor saxophone), Stef Kamil Carlens (sequencing, bass guitar, voice, and analog synthesizers), as well as the pleasantly playful robots from Decap, Logos Foundation, Polyend, and Dada Machines.
Those who were present on that first evening became cheerful on the spot, perhaps even happy and lyrical. Even more so after the second session than after the first, because the already driven group got more and more into their stride and the melody became like an 'earworm'.
To make it even cooler, as a spectator you were allowed to get very close, to peep and groove on all the details, soaking in those tingling vibes. Let's be honest: who could resist such an opportunity?
EDDY STRAUVEN
House of philosophy 'Het zoekend hert ° The searching deer'
RIK WOUTERS
Herfst
HUMANS
Jonas Meersmans electric guitar
Maarten Moesen cymbalon, percussion
Nel Ponsaers Roland SH-101, Wurlitzer piano, Moog Theremin
Rahmat Emonds violin, mandolin, Hohner Guitaret
Stef Kamil Carlens analogue synthesisers, electric guitar, sequencing
ROBOTS
Decap, Logos Foundation, Polyend, Dada Machines
People sometimes don't know what they are missing. Perhaps just as well, for their sake. As the saying goes: ‘Ignorance is bliss’.
It was immediately clear that those who were present at the KMSKA that Thursday evening felt blessed. To sample the delicately idiosyncratic music of Stef Kamil Carlens, we were already able to visit the museum the week before. Cinematic glimpses of that sound spectacle can still be seen on our accounts on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. This time, however, we limited ourselves to words and pictures only. Because sometimes there are penalties for ignorance.
Now Stef Kamil Carlens presented an extra intense soundscape, closely monitored by Nel Durinckx (1886-1971), the graceful wife of painter-sculptor Rik Wouters (1882-1916). Herfst. Framed by glowing autumn colors, she looks dreamily through a window.
Once again, SKC and his companions succeeded in bringing the magic of a painting to life. The wonderful namesake Nel Ponsaers, in hot pants for the occasion, opened the show with plaintive melodies on a musical saw. A steel hammer, computer-controlled, gave a jumping rhythm with violent taps on a drinking glass. Jonas Meersmans' howling guitar entered gently into dialogue with Stef Kamil's bass. The dull stamping of Stef’s right foot set the pace for the drum rolls and cymbals of Maarten Moesen, the dancing violin of Lady Rahmat Emonds and the piano playing of the versatile Nel Ponsaers, now on Roland SH-101 and Wurlitzer Piano.
Towards the end they went full force. Autumn became an 'Indian summer' and a fierce tribute to Nel Durinckx, the muse who lost her artistic husband and soulmate far too early: she was only 29 when he died at the age of 33. Who knows, maybe the connecting magic reached both of them, somewhere in the realms between time and eternity. Anyone present at this live event, might believe so. In any case, wonderful tribute to Rik and his Nel, by Nel P. and the lively combo of Stef K. Not in the least because of the magically corresponding autumn colors of all the superb outfits.
EDDY STRAUVEN
House of philosophy 'Het zoekend hert ° The searching deer'
JULES SCHMALZIGAUG
Rhythmus van lichtgolvingen: Straat + Zon + Menigte
HUMANS
Alban Sarens tenor & baritone sax
Jonas Meersmans electric guitar
Nel Ponsaers Vox Continental , Wurlitzer piano, Moog Theremin
Rahmat Emonds viool, mandoline, Hohner Guitaret
Stef Kamil Carlens analogue synthesisers, electric guitar, sequencing
ROBOTS
Decap, Logos Foundation, Polyend, Dada Machines
Stef Kamil Carlens always loves to be inspired by eccentric personalities for his artistic quests. Such a genius was certainly Jules Schmalzigaug (1882-1917). This idiosyncratic Antwerp resident from a German millionaire’s family only received full recognition posthumously. Inspired by the Italian Futurists, he strove to portray dynamic movements, with abstract shapes and rhythms. His study of light helped him create eccentric shapes with colors while shattering perspective.
Jules Schmalzigaug experienced a highlight in 1913. Exemplary are his paintings 'Light' and 'Dynamic feeling of the Dance (Interior of a Night Bar)' and also the canvas around which the third soundscape by Stef Kamil Carlens revolved: 'Rhythm of light waves: Street + Sun + Crowd'.
Like the broken mirrors in his works, Schmalzigaug's life too was a quest without a center, with a shifting pattern. Existential loneliness, perhaps also the lack of artistic recognition, drove the seeker to suicide. In 1917, only 34, he died in his studio in The Hague. More than 100 years later, Stef Kamil Carlens constructed a fitting tribute with a festive bravura piece. A complete work with dancing dynamics and glamorous clothing. Sledgehammer music with cheerful solos. Generous and driven. This made it extra hopeful, because it is joyfully constructive and giving. Jules Schmalzigaug is dead, folks, but long live his dancing explosion art!
EDDY STRAUVEN
House of philosophy 'Het zoekend hert ° The searching deer'
PIERRE ALECHINSKY'S
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