“Signal is subdued and overwhelming at the same time.” – AD (Dutch national newspaper) 

Dutch-based sound artists Strijbos & Van Rijswijk transform everyday places, objects, and spaces. They explore the relationship between sound and space and the role of the audience in experiencing these. For ConTempo Festival they transformed their landscape opera “Signal”, especially for the Kaunas district and its environment. With 24 long-throw speakers – an instrument they developed for their compositions – Strijbos & Van Rijswijk will immerse the landscape in sounds and music. The devices will get support from live sopranos, which will constantly dialogue between visitors, sounds, and surroundings. Moreover, the surroundings of Kaunas will become the unique backdrop for the performances and projects that each in their way invites you to walk, think, and (re)discover the landscape.

Jeroen Strijbos and Rob van Rijswijk have worked together for over twenty years. As they state: “We inspire imagination through sound. Our installations and compositions transform everyday locations, objects, spaces, and people. Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by sound”. As sound artists, they propose an approach that corresponds to how people usually experience their environment in spatial sound and imagery. Therefore, creating an interactive experience for the audience, incorporating the existing context and environment, is as important as a musical composition. In the last few years, artists made an impressive oeuvre ranging from landscape operas and walk escapes to live performances in a more ‘classical’ setting and performing in the international and national audiences.

Before attending the performance “Signal at Kaunas Lagoon” please read these instructions carefully.

Be prepared: the performance takes place in nature – please consider wearing appropriate and comfortable clothes, shoes, have spray from insects and mosquitos, drinking water and flashlight.

How to find the location: the starting point of the performance Jazminų st. 63, Kaunas (54.904674, 24.050615).

Arriving from Ateitis pl. – turn to the repaired road section leading towards Palemon st., then drive straight (down the overpass). When you reach the Vieškūnai mound sign – do not turn, drive straight until you see the “ConTempo” sign.

Taking city buses No. 17, 19, 39 – get of at the stop „Jazminų g.“, leave from the stop „Marių g.“ (15 min on foot from the finishing point).

For your convenience, the official bus “Kaunas 2022” will take you directly to the performance site as well as take you back to the city center afterwards. The bus will depart from Kaunas bus station at 19.30 (look for the ConTempo flag in the departure area) and return you to the same location by 22.00.