Loom: Boris de Klerk, Görkem Arıkan & Elina Tapio

Subbacultcha and We Are Public present the fourth edition of Loom: a recurring (on- and offline) program showcasing a multitude of creative disciplines. In 2024, Loom will house 5 events, coinciding with talks, releases and a publication. To wrap it all up, we’ll host a closing festival in winter. “Ginning, opening, cleaning, combing, drawing, spinning, winding, warping, sizing and beaming.”

This time around, we have invited Antwerp-based performance and sound artist Boris de Klerk, whose practice focuses on ‘the exploration of live sound in a performative space’. He is particularly interested in investigating the sensory possibilities of space in relation to the performer and the audience. By approaching the theatrical space as a composer, Boris attempts to reorganize the senses, exploring what happens when you create theater where sound takes the lead and mise-en-scène, set design, lighting, and choreography are consequences of choices made based on auditory elements. The question that guides most of his work is: “How theatrical can sound be, and what happens when you approach theater not as a visual but as an auditory medium?”

Interdisciplinary sound-artist and performer Görkem Arıkan will present Wirwarp (2024), a self-made instrument that draws inspiration from Michel Waisvisz’ distinctive approach to sonic interactions and musical expression. Wirwarp is made out of conductive rubber and cord stretch sensors that create a dynamic mesh on a wooden frame. Through warping and tangling the mesh-pulling cords, pushing the nodes, and adjusting the frame’s angle with moveable hinges, Görkem is able to play the instrument, turning it into a canvas for sonic exploration.

Elina Tapio will be DJ’ing during the evening. Her sets embody an experimental ethos, favouring dark and eerie soundscapes, blending psychedelic rhythms with industrial atmospheres. She is currently a resident at Mutant Radio, and co-hosts the radio shows Scrying the Landscape and axia maxim. She has also released music under the moniker eoobe, together with Marco Segato.

Geke Zaal has provided the hypnotizing artwork for this installment.

Loom is free for Subbacultcha and We Are Public members.
– Subbacultcha members can reserve a free ticket by sending an email here with ‘Loom’ in the subject + your name in the text.
– We Are Public members can reserve their free ticket here.
– Regular tickets are €12 and can be purchased here.

Loom is kindly supported by Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst & Fonds 21.

Prototype of Wirwarp (2024) By Görkem Arıkan.