MUTEK: A Spirit of Discovery

One hundred and twenty artists from 20 countries played on MUTEK’s playground over the past few days. The 80 projects presented for the 17th edition^were mostly world and North American premieres. Alain Mongeau, the founder of MUTEK, joked that the program is uncompromising and that, more than ever, discovery is being brought to the fore. If you know nothing about the program, do not worry; that is normal. Seventy festivals and institutions from outside Canada travelled for the occasion. Hugues Sweeney, chair of MUTEK’s board of directors, said that what he loves most about digital culture is the adventure of the unknown. Many people come together to share that adventure, and MUTEK has represented this movement since its beginnings. For the third year, the Musée d’art contemporain (MAC) hosted MUTEK. Year after year, MUTEK offers unprecedented experiences, said MAC director John Zeppetelli. It is an essential event, not only for Montréal, but also for fans around the world of this magnificent type of music. Festivalgoers can take the opportunity to visit Jean-Pierre Gauthier and Ryoji Ikeda’s

digital exhibition Orchestré. One last evening

not to miss. NOCTURNE 5 at the MAC closes the festival in a festive and carefree atmosphere, with the hybrid digital/analog jazz of FLANGER; the inimitable German duo Uwe Schmidt / Bernd Friedmann, presenting a live performance based on their first album, Lollopy Dripper; Canadian cellist and composer JULIA KENT, who captivates audiences with compositions created from a loop pedal and fascinating soundscapes; the virtuoso jazz trio DAWN OF MIDI and its blend of refined electro, experimental techno, post-rock progressions and groove; the premiere of the new jazzy live performance by Amsterdam-based electronic producer FRITS WENTINK;and finally producers Guillaume Coutu-Dumont and Ernesto Ferreyra as the micro-house duo CHIC MINIATURE. In the BWR room, the atmosphere turns to swing rhythms with the danceable techno-house of Belgian artist LAWRENCE LE DOUX, the bright synth-sound house of Montréal’s PROJECT PABLO, and the techno-jazz of Vancouver’s LOCAL ARTIST. See you tonight.