Sónar arrives in Lisbon and mixes art with technology
The electronic music and art festival Sónar arrives in Lisbon for the first time. Arca, Bicep Live, Charlotte de White are some of the names that are part of the music poster. On the 8th, 9th and 10th of April, more than 100 artists from different areas come together for days of technology, creativity and art.
The festival was born in 1994 in Barcelona with the aim of combining technology with music. “We called at that time advanced music, artists who were advanced in the way of making and using technology”, said Enric Palau, Founder of Sónar Española to DN.
It was in 2002 that the event left Barcelona for the first time and went to London. Currently, Sónar has about 100 editions in 36 cities around the world, Hong Kong, Nova, Buenos Aires and Istanbul are some examples. After two years of a pandemic and a postponement, it’s Portugal’s turn, the first, with 70 more concerts and performances.
“We chose that it is a very interesting city for the locals of Lisbon and because it is a good way for visitors to pass by us. “, said Enric Palau.
In Lisbon, the festival’s format will be different from all others: show centers will have four exhibitions and conferences. The Lisbon Congress Center, Coliseu dos Recreios, Pavilhão Carlos Lopes and Hub Criativo do Beato will welcome international and national artists.
“This dispersion brings challenges both in public management and in logistics. My biggest reception is people who can’t go to the show because the room doesn’t have the capacity for more. that won’t happen.” João Meneses, founder of Sónar Portugal.
The Festival is divided into Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night. During the day the event is dedicated to presentations and experimental shows at the Carlos Lopes Pavilion. The ticket price varies between 50 and 90 euros During the night, Sónar becomes a musical space, described as “a celebration”, which takes place in three different places: Lisbon Congress Centre, Coliseu dos Recreios and Pavilhão Carlos Lopes. The price varies between 40 and 90 euros.
Another of the novelties of this edition is Sónar+D, where sustainability, human rights and technology are the main themes. In a “non-place”, the Hub Criativo do Beato, works of art will be exhibited that include technology, space for conferences and even interactive shows. On the issue of artificial intelligence. Sónar+D tickets cost between 25 and 15 euros. On April 10th, the space will be open to everyone.
“We will have art, lectures and audiovisual shows. Sónar+D has a more reflective, more thoughtful, more cerebral posture than Sónar” explained the curator of Sónar+D, Patrícia Craveiro Lopes. Francisco Vidal, one of the artists whose work was exhibited during the festival days, mixes technology with his art for the first time: painting. With the help of friends and using virtual reality, the artist created an immersive experience that invites the public to enter his work, entitled Casulo – Still Free, with a white line as a guide. “The old, analytical piece that we used a photography technology and in digital cinema now the transition to a selfie and photography technology.” explains Francisco Vida.