Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra & Arion de Munck present 'Hadra Immersive' at LGW24

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During the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2024, Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra & multidisciplinary artist Arion de Munck (Ombak-Lab) present Hadra Immersive, an experience in which Water, Harmony and Light play a central role. The climax of Hadra is not just a musical peak; it is a moment of collective transcendence, in which those present jointly reach a state of spiritual ecstasy and unity.

The Hadra is a special spiritual moment characterized by a collective and participatory nature, with both men and women actively participating in ceremonies.

Hadra Immersive is a collaboration between Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra and multidisciplinary artist Arion de Munck (Ombak-Lab) where ancient spiritual traditions of the Hadra merge with the contemporary interactive art and science of Water Sound Images.

Vibrations of traditional instruments, hypnotic rhythms, musical harmonies, spiritual chants and poetry set water in motion, creating vibrational patterns: Water Sound Images. This phenomenon is also called cymatics; the study of wave phenomena in matter (from ancient Greek: κῦμα = wave). This allows us to hear with our eyes, see with our ears, feel with our heart and experience the creating power of music.

Conceived by Salah Eddine Mesbah and Ahmed el Maai of the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, the performance is imagined as a collaboration between the audience and the musicians.

In this collective experience, the boundary between audience and performer fades; musicians as well as visitors sit in circles around a large water basin, allowing everyone to become part of the whole.

This environment is meant to imitate the atmosphere of the Zawiya’s (Sufi monasteries), in order to ensure the exchange between musicians and visitors, and to replicate the spiritual nature of these gatherings.

They often take place in monasteries, during religious festivals and special occasions such as the moussem (annual pilgrimages) of local saints. Traditional instruments such as the taarija (small drum), derbouka, and qraqeb (metal castanets) are essential for creating the hypnotic rhythms that put participants in a trance. Traditionally, the players focus on unfolding melodies, special poetry, repetitions and accelerating rhythms, whereby the interaction with the audience becomes increasingly cathartic.

Hadra Immersive is a co-production of Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, Ombak_lab and Meervaart.

Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra presents Hadra Immersive at Le Guess Who? 2024 on Thursday, 7 November. Also performing at the festival are a.o. Noura Mint Seymali, Retro Cassetta, and many more.

Photography by Tarik Traidia