IS IT DARK? is an investigating by ENCORE + SEXES to deal with personal experiences of fear through the sonic. ENCORE, current resident at AIR Antwerpen, produces works with interdisciplinary efforts around topics of hardcore electronic music. SEXES seeks to map the relations between identity and power. Culture is the medium in which humankind communicates with itself. The interaction of the group member’s diverse artistic output (installation, music, performance, digital design, set design) develops a collective visual and sonic form.
Through their music and radical appearance, aspects of sonic extremism and identity politics in (rave) culture will be investigated. Previous works investigated Gabber, Rotterdam and early roots of NDW (neue Deutsche Welle). This time, the ENCORE members Henrike Naumann, Tea Palmelund and Merle Vorwald initiated the project IS IT DARK? based on LizaNEliaz. Liza’N’Eliaz was a transgender speedcore DJ and producer based in Antwerpen.
At het bos, the digital research (ENCORE EXPLORER), the discussions throughout the SCJF (Speed Core Jour Fixes) and the branch DARKITIS! will finally come together in one exhibition on two floors. After looking for Liza’s traces in Antwerpen and all over (central) Europe, this exhibition brings ideas and impulses around Liza on display.
Besides the exhibition, at the opening night will be a speedcore extravaganza with members of ENCORE, SEXES, friends and associates playing music around Liza’N’Eliaz. In the Cafe, food related to LIZA will be served.
Artists: ENCORE + SEXES, Ekaterina Burlyga, Johannes Büttner, Bastian Hagedorn, Bianca Ludewig, Henrike Naumann, Tea Palmelund, Merle Vorwald, Marco Buetikofer, Lotte Meret Effinger, Florian Meyer