Featured artist: Alter Moderna

"We both share a passion for exploring new artistic expressions," Monique starts off, "and Alter Moderna provides us with a platform to do just that. Over the past few years, the project has evolved, and it has now become an interdisciplinary music project with a clear mission. We contemplate what it truly means to be human and translate those insights into a tangible art form. It goes beyond simply telling a story, as I've done in my previous musical projects. Alter Moderna is a platform for researching the growth potential of individuals and our species as a whole. We aim to tap into the untapped possibilities that lie within each of us, waiting to be awakened with sincere attention."

“For me,” Monique explains, “Alter Moderna is like a playground where I can experiment with new artistic expressions. It encourages me to break free from my personal creative boundaries and delve into the depths of my artistic process. Often, the starting point is an abstract idea rather than a specific melody, image, or text. We explore themes such as the relationship between man and nature and the integration of the unseen into the ordinary. Together, Jessica and I create a world that takes the viewer on a journey of discovery.”

Jessica continues: “My artistic practice has been shifting towards an approach that explores the relationship between humans and nature. Through my performances over the past six years, I have delved into this theme, aiming to manifest a new way of being for humans—one that fosters symbiosis with nature. I draw inspiration from forgotten aspects of Northern European and Dutch history, incorporating forgotten ways of life, perspectives, rituals, and practical tools. Additionally, I design methods and tools, such as meditations, experiences, and storytelling, that contribute to the evolution of human consciousness and support a gentler and more courageous way of being. My work encompasses video art, guided meditations, storytelling-based performances, and the revival of biological worlds through food art, music, and ritual. I aim to introduce new and different possibilities for being human.”

“Monique and I have developed interdisciplinary performances as the initial building blocks of our shared vision. Through these performances, we have transformed spaces into dreamlike settings, incorporating smoke machines, soundscapes, sculptures, and video projections. Participants were invited to immerse themselves in these spaces, experiencing food art, performances, rituals, and storytelling. By engaging participants on sensory and rational levels, we sought to transport them into the depths of invisible worlds. Music played a crucial role in creating the desired atmosphere and enhancing the storytelling aspect of the performances. As Monique and I composed more music during our residencies, it took on its own autonomous quality, intertwining with the themes and style of our performances. Alter Moderna is an interdisciplinary project where performance art, theater, and music converge, creating a Gesamtkunstwerk — a total artwork. Together, these elements construct a sonic and visual world that visitors can physically enter, akin to a lucid dream where new realms and possibilities can be discovered, expanding beyond conventional human minds."

Up until now, the sisters have primarily showcased Alter Moderna in manners strongly connected to visual art. That’s about to change, according to Jessica. “As our musical compositions have developed and taken on their own distinct qualities, we feel ready and ambitious to present ourselves on music stages as well. We envision music theater concerts with performative elements woven into the shows, emphasizing visual aspects, such as integrating my video art. This expansion will allow us to further engage audiences in the immersive experience of Alter Moderna, creating an atmosphere where music, performance, and visuals intertwine.”

Monique's band, Cesair, has been performing at various renowned festivals, including Castlefest, Wave-Gotik-Treffen and Wacken Open Air, among others, for more than 10 years now. We wanted to know how she envisions Alter Moderna making an impact and expanding beyond the folk music community.

“While I have a strong foundation within the folk music scene,” Monique replies, “I believe that Alter Moderna has the potential to bring an innovative approach to this music scene. Our conceptual and interdisciplinary approach sets us apart, and we aim to offer something unique and thought-provoking. However, we do not want to limit ourselves to one particular scene. We see our work fitting into various interdisciplinary art festivals such as Oeral, IMPAKT, Re_Nature, Burning Man, De Parade, FIBER Festival, and Motel Mozaïek. Jessica already has connections with artistic directors and bookers at several festivals, and we’re hoping to work towards a tour that encompasses these festivals and venues.”

Since 2018, the sisters have been writing music and developing the concept for Alter Moderna. During their performances, they collaborated with guest artists like visual artist and cellist Sis Josip and Nyckelharpa player Klaartje van Zwoll. How have such experiences influenced the development of their project?

Monique: “Each time we performed, we collaborated with musicians and other artists, which enriched our thought process and allowed us to present our work on a larger scale. By experimenting and sharing our visions with artists who share similar fascinations and expertise, we were able to refine our unique artistic signature.”

Jessica adds: “It's also worth noting that we have been nurturing Alter Moderna alongside our individual artistic practices. This approach allowed us to take the time to research and define our roles as makers. In the past, I worked autonomously, while Monique, as a musician, was accustomed to working in a group. With Alter Moderna, we both became art directors and makers. We have seen a complete merging of Monique's musical practice and my visual/performative practice with the Alter Moderna project.”

It seems that Alter Moderna truly exemplifies how both sisters’ individual practices have merged and evolved within Alter Moderna. Jessica gives a great example: “In November 2022, I presented a new video work called "PLOW" during the Big Art art fair in Amsterdam. The video images were filmed based on a piece of music previously composed with Alter Moderna. This video work, in turn, inspired the visual design of Alter Moderna. We constantly find inspiration in each other's work and it fuels what we create.”

“Exactly,” Monique continues, “we consider the joint approach of Alter Moderna as a necessary progression in our artistic practices. It has taken several years to crystallize how we wanted to shape this project, and we have invested our own resources and time into its development. We are passionate about the research and exploration we’re putting into Alter Moderna.”