ADE: Opening Concert: COCON II

An audiovisual live performance by Cello Octet Amsterdam and Nick Verstand

The scenography is created by Nick Verstand. Eight robotic arms embrace the cellists on stage. The mechanical cocoon slowly unfolds and ripples along with the music. Lights attached to the ends of the robotic arms illuminate both the musicians and the space, creating three-dimensional shapes in the air.

The cocoon symbolizes Mother Earth's embrace as a source for humanity, but at the same time represents our human addition and destruction of that same source. This contrast is enhanced by the classical cellos as opposed to the futuristic robots. The robotic structures behave as autonomous entities on stage and interact with the musicians to create a tension arc of light, sound and kinetics.

Cocon II is the second iteration of the project, specifically designed for ADE. Using Door Open Space’s massive warehouse as a canvas to position cellists, kinetics, light, sound and audience in circular layers, focusing on ritualistic, trance-inducing movements in light and sound.

Music:

Naqvi – Sine 1 & 2

Kara-Lis Coverdale – Endocrine

Jesse Broekman – We walk by threads of light

Abul Mogard & KMRU – Drawing water on matching teal surfaces Arr. René van Munster

Caterina Barbieri – Scratches on the Readable Surface (Cello Octet) Arr. Alistair Sung

Scenography: Nick Verstand

On stage: Cello Octet Amsterdam