Amber Meulenijzer

Meulenijzer transforms her Saab 900 into a mobile art platform equipped with vintage horn speakers mounted on the roof. These directional speakers, originally found in a flea market, enable her to explore and manipulate on-site sounds. The Saab, functioning as a movable instrument, becomes a versatile tool for creating what she calls "Saab Sculptures." These sculptures are sound and installation artworks emerging from various locations, including a quarry, bodies of water, and beneath a bridge.

Amber Meulenijzer's album "Saab Fanfare" offers a captivating sonic journey that seamlessly blends the sounds of a Saab car outfitted with 12 speakers and a local fanfare ensemble from the town of Pelt in Belgium. The album captures the magic of a procession, intertwining live recordings with processed sounds, creating an electro-acoustic experience that feels as warm as a sunrise and as exhilarating as a hot air balloon ascent.

Album Opening: The album opens with a subtle murmur of directions, occasional horn tuning, and the gentle hum of the Saab's engine. The title track, "Saab Fanfare," establishes a unique musical space where the car becomes an instrument, and the horns of the local fanfare ensemble contribute to the unfolding soundscape.

The Saab and Fanfare Ensemble: The Saab, equipped with a roof adorned with 12 speakers, takes on a central role in the album. Composer Amber Meulenijzer skillfully captures the ambient sounds, creating an immersive experience that reflects the collaborative spirit between the car and the local fanfare ensemble. The ensemble, a brass band integral to small Belgian towns, adds a distinctive layer to the sonic exploration.

Live Procession and Electro-Acoustic Warmth: The live "Procession" track invites listeners into the scene, where birds sing, footsteps crunch, and the crowd murmurs and eventually cheers. This live recording provides an authentic glimpse into the atmosphere of the event. The electro-acoustic warmth of the album emerges as the Saab, horns, and ambient sounds intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of auditory sensations.

Isolated Brass and Saab Speakers: The subsequent track, "Isolated Brass, As Played Through Saab Speakers," delves into the processed sounds emanating from Meulenijzer's speakers. This segment allows listeners to focus on the angelic horns of the fanfare ensemble, providing an intimate perspective on what the live audience experienced. It serves as a sonic bridge, transporting the listener from an observational role to a participant in the parade.

Evolution and Reward: "Saab Fanfare" evolves with each visit, offering a more rewarding experience with each listening. The layered sounds, captured behind the wheel, carry a sense of wonder and enchantment. The album becomes a testament to the power of collaborative sonic exploration, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the unique intersection of a Saab, a local fanfare ensemble, and the surrounding sounds of Pelt.

Amber Meulenijzer's "Saab Fanfare" stands as a testament to the artist's ability to transform everyday elements into a mesmerizing sonic experience. The album captures the essence of a moment in time, turning it into a rich tapestry of sound that resonates with warmth, spontaneity, and the joy of collaborative music-making.

In the "Saab Fanfare" project, Meulenijzer collaborates with four brass musicians from local fanfares. The idea of playing four chords for 35 minutes initially raised skepticism among some musicians. However, Meulenijzer's innovative approach involved recording each note extensively, creating a soundscape. The musicians then improvised alongside the Saab, creating a unique performance. The live recording captures the musicians' improvisations, while the B-side features the pure soundscape.

The resulting performance, akin to a procession, evokes both solemnity and anticipation. Meulenijzer deliberately chose major chords to counteract funeral connotations, creating a morning performance that served as a herald for the day's unknown events. The choice of major chords and the early morning timing contributed to a sense of suspense and a departure from expectations.

Meulenijzer's Saab projects involve a choreographic exploration between the audience and the installation. By playing with sound dynamics, speaker proximity, and unconventional speaker placements, she aims to create an interactive experience. Whether through slow-moving performances with soft sounds or using contrasting spaces, Meulenijzer seeks to engage spectators in a unique sensory encounter.

Inspired by artists like Éliane Radigue and Maryanne Amacher, Meulenijzer embraces prolonged tones, subtle sounds, duration, and silence. Her Saab projects involve meticulous research, posing questions, and testing hypotheses. Each location presents a new soundscape to explore—whether it's using hydrophones near water or capturing the echoes in an abandoned quarry.

Amid Saab projects and live performances, Meulenijzer has recently delved into playing the organ. This exploration into warmer tones provides a contrast to the Saab's sharp sounds. With minimalist experimentation, she allows each project the time to develop organically, without the pressure of immediacy.

In collaboration with Lukas De Clerck and documentary maker Roberto Priamo Sechi, Meulenijzer explored Sardinia with her Saab, engaging with diverse landscapes. The ongoing documentary captures the challenges of translating a live experience into a visual and sonic narrative.

Amber Meulenijzer's artistic endeavors, marked by her Saab expeditions, exemplify a unique intersection of sound, installation, and performance. Her commitment to exploring sonic landscapes and engaging audiences in interactive experiences reflects a vibrant and evolving artistic journey.

https://www.instagram.com/ambermeulenijzer

https://www.gonzocircus.com/interview-amber-meulenijzer

https://ambermeulenijzer.bandcamp.com