From 2005 to 2011 it was a bit of a phenomenon in Groningen: CLASH† A clash between electronic music and contemporary art. A cool programming combined with the core of bringing young people into contact with different forms of culture was a hit. In fact, the city and the surrounding area became aware of how Groningen was leading the way. But in 2011, CLASH stopped at its peak. The organization could not free up enough time to give the concept the attention it needed. Fortunately, there is hope. The new organization proudly says that it has been working for a long time to bring back the phenomenon that is CLASH. And how. Talent from home and abroad was brought to Grunn to show her arts.
The evening started in a somewhat strange location: in the Boterdiep parking garage. That Groningen wants its car bunkers to be more than gray seas is apparent when we look at what radiates under the Ossenmarkt. This time Bert Scholten, Dragan Glamočić and Lee McDonald provided the atmosphere. I didn't know any of them, but I won't forget their names either. A very diverse audience could enjoy the effects of friction on baguettes, a cardboard version of an Apache and the combination of poetry and musical performance.
After this it was time to continue to De Machinefabriek. The theater is next to my house but I had never been there. I had no idea what I would find inside as we were promised electronic music. Was Colin Benders going to do theater in addition to synthesizing (it certainly could have been)? No. Hannes Andersson, who comes from Sweden, is doing his master's here and created a beautiful iconoclasm in the reception room. He told me how he partly puts everything together in advance, but in the end spends a lot of time projecting the whole thing in such a way that he is satisfied. I hope he was, it sure was impressive.
Visuals
But somehow I was drawn to that great hall. Before he started, Colin Benders had already put down his neat installation, arranged for a live stream on YouTube and played a nice welcome beat. I was told that Colin could do everything, and did not hesitate to combine all kinds of styles to arrive at a new sound. Nothing could be further from the truth. His performance reminded me of something by Robert DeLong or Todd Terje, but it was really completely different. Wonderfully danceable but also crazy. And besides the lights on Benders' synthesizers, there were also the nice visuals around us.
Colin Benders @ Clash #1 Groningen
Lasers by Beamshow.nl from VJ team Closed Eye Visions on Vimeo.
After Colin Benders' performance it became a lot quieter in the hall. Actually unnecessary, because the men from 030303 picked up the thread wonderfully. The boys from Utrecht actually did exactly what was needed: end a creative day with some tasty moves.
All in all a day to remember. CLASH is back! The next (mini) edition will take place in August. Next year April 1, the crowning will take place with Clash XXL on the former Suikerunie site. The stories of the past and the experiences of today make one thing clear to us: be there or be square!
Author: Lodewijk Portielje
