Punkt Festival 2016

Fermentation is a process of breaking down substances and distilling new ones from it by combining specifically reacting substances (see Redzepi examples of fermentation from the laboratory). Bulk growth of microorganisms on a growth medium is also referred to as fermentation. Actually both substances have to feed each other to get something "new" out of it. To get fermentation going you need to learn and know how certain productive (biochemical) reactions are caused. It is just one possible analogy to processes taking place in musical 'remixing.'

Another apt analogy/image is provided by the (vast) subterranean network of mycelia as a nourishing base for mushrooms. Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus or fungus-like bacterial colony, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. These networks nourish the 'fruit' by intensely decomposing plant material in the soil. It even reaches further. Its growth releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere as an important part of the life securing natural carbon cycle.



The concept and image of mycelium provides lots of leads. Mycelium plays a crucial role in transforming the quality of soil as a precondition for new growth and it is conducive in keeping the atmosphere in good condition. Transferring this to the ecology of creating/making music would not only indicate that live remixing has been a logical next step. It also means that live remixing fulfils a crucial role in producing musical oxygen and is improving the circulation of musical energy and creativity.

The presently overused slangy term 'mix/mixing' is a bit superficial and can even be misleading. It suggests that reworking musical performances is just a question of throwing a diversity of elements into the blender. There is definitely more (going on) in the mix. A closer inspection of various Punkt reports would reveal how action, process, result and consequence have been taken up and reflected.



It is remarkable—whether just coincidentally or not—that Punkt's light designer Tord Knudsen who in real time masterfully reflects the music and musical actions on a deeper level at times produces astoundingly mycelia-like images.

Many thanks to Nausikaä de Blaauw and Ruben Olsen Laerk

Photo Credit: Ruben Olsen Laerk, Henning Bolte