During Le Guess Who? 2017, the French team of La Blogothèque traveled to Utrecht to record two intimate Take Away Shows at inspiring and special locations in our city. Now, we present the first of these sessions: violinist and vocalist Sudan Archives performing solo at Oude Hortus' historic gardens & greenhouse.
The Oude Hortus is a hidden gem in Utrecht: tucked away behind the Universiteitsmuseum, it's a magical garden to find some rest in the midst of the bustling city, and including a cottage- and a medical garden. Here, you can discover a green oasis with a large collection of plants and trees. For example: their 250-year old Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest known specimens outside of Japan.
Sudan Archives - Come Meh Way & Wake Up | A Take Away Show:
The Oude Hortus' greenhouses, where these videos were captures, are the oldest academic greenhouses that still exist in The Netherlands. Built between 1906 and 1908, they were once used for research and education. Now, the greenhouses hold a various selection of plants and flowers, including the impressive Victoria Longwood: a giant water lily that blossoms in the Greenhouses during the summer. The species has leaves up to 1,5 meters in diameter, floating on the water's surface on a submerged stalk.
Sudan Archives - Slow Down | A Take Away Show:
Also watch our video portrait of Sudan Archives, made in collaboration with De Volkskrant: we met her in LA, just before she left for her first ever EU tour. Here, we discuss how she started playing violin, African string music vs Western classical music, and the life-changing experience of going to Africa to teach kids how to make music:
