Maja SK Ratkje & HC Gilje
Electronics and voice power in a boundary-breaking visual performance!
Few Norwegian artists have such a strong position internationally Maja SK Ratkje. She appeals to the most diverse audience groups because her music is so diverse, varied and transcends genres. And it is never boring, but constantly exciting, surprising and challenging. Vocal improvisation, electronica, contemporary music, acoustic music and noise are undoubtedly important elements in her musical expression. We have heard her with Poing, in the quartet Spunk, in the duo Fe-Mail, with Enslaved, with musicians such as Lasse Marhaug, Paal Nilssen-Love, Ikue Mori and many, many others. She has written music for opera, film, orchestra, dance and theatre, and she has won a number of prestigious awards.
For this year's concert in Smeltehytta, Maja SK Ratkje has teamed up with another distinctive artist who has also caused considerable attention internationally; HC Gilje. He is characterized by some as a 'light artist', and with his diverse visual expressions he presents installations, performances, videos, various forms of lighting design in many different contexts. Among his extensive activities, it can be mentioned that he has been a member of the video improv trio '242 pilots' and was the visual engine of the dance company Kreutzerkompani.
When Maja SK Ratkje begins her concert in Smeltehytta, she will be surrounded by up to 18 LED screens controlled by HC Gilje. Here, changing lights and a diverse sound flora from voice and electronics will form part of a most exciting symbiosis.
If you're ever going to use terms like 'cross-genre' and 'boundary-breaking', it has to be about this show!
