MUTEK Grows Up And Out for its 18th Edition
Part of the official program marking Montréal’s 375th anniversary, Canada’s preeminent hub of electronic music and digital creativity turns 18, taking the occasion to change its dates, expand its program and refresh its commitment to live performance at the intersection of music, visual art and technology. MUTEK also mobilizes its international connections to host four days of programming dedicated to the cultural metropoles of London, Mexico City, Barcelona and Berlin — exploring the contemporaneous and multi-disciplinary links between Montréal and these capitals. The fundamental DNA of the festival will continue to express values of discovery, revelation and community, emphasizing premieres, exclusive appearances and artistic ingenuity. Events will take place in the Quartier des spectacles, the Society for Arts and Technology, Monument-National, Métropolis and on the free outdoor stage of the Esplanade de la Place des Arts.
Since its first edition, in 2000, the MUTEK festival has distinguished itself as an international rendezvous for original and avant-garde programming.
In terms of content, the festival’s range strives to be diverse, with interests in both the experimental and the playful sides of digital creativity. MUTEK’s programming intends to create a sonic space that can support innovation in new electronic music and digital art. This is a world of constant evolution and incessant refinement – the “MU” in MUTEK refers consciously to the notion of “mutation”.
Over the years, the MUTEK festival has presented a considerable number of renowned artists while simultaneously providing an important showcase for up-and-coming talent. Each edition offers a notable array of Canadian, North American, and even international premieres. The festival provides an open, inviting environment that encourages rewarding exchanges between artists, professionals, and the public; MUTEK is a point of convergence, drawing participants from all over the world to profit from a context of active discovery. Many of the festival’s participants have gained concrete and positive opportunities from their involvement with MUTEK.
MUTEK is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination and development of digital creativity in sound, music, and audio-visual art. Its mandate is to provide a platform for the most original and visionary artists currently working in their fields, with the intent of providing an outlet of initiation and discovery for the audiences we seek to develop.
Always looking to maintain and develop its pertinence within its chosen community, from early on MUTEK has strived to expand its sphere of activities beyond the core festival. These initiatives have multiplied since 2002, both in Montreal and on the international scene: showcases, tours, and international editions of the festival, not to mention a record label.
A MUTEK network exists today, with ramifications in North America, South America, Asia and Europe, which provides an essential platform to promote and explore wide-ranging artistic content, all the while reflecting a cultural effervescence that is both real and global.
