Jan 20 2025 51 mins
What does it mean to DJ an archive? In the debut instalment of a new podcast series by Sonic Acts, junior curator Hannah Pezzack interviews Ruben Verkuylen (The Social Lover) about his DJ set from the 2024 Biennial, where he reimagined Sonic Acts archival material through turntablist techniques, sample pads, and effects. Recorded live at Het HEM and later broadcast by NTS Radio, his set drew upon a rich array of concerts, lectures, and conversations from 2003 to 2006 – a transformative era for electronic music, computing cultures, and digital art.
Discussing his process, Verkuylen reflects on pivotal technological shifts, from the work of early computer art pioneer Lillian Schwartz to the artistic possibilities of AI in the present day. Featuring snippets from his deep dive, the podcast explores what it means to remix archives as a form of collage – reinterpreting and layering history, and connecting to contemporary sound practices.
Sonic Trax: Remixing the History of Sound Art is a podcast by Sonic Acts exploring the institution's archive, which dates back to the mid-1990s. Examining creative approaches and interventions, the series reveals broader narratives about the lineage of sound art, tracing its evolution and enduring resonance.
Sonic Acts Archive projects are supported by the Mondriaan Fonds and Cultuurloket DigitALL. Realised by Paradiso and Sonic Acts as part of New Perspectives for Action. A project by Re-Imagine Europe, co-funded by the European Union.
CREDITS
Recorded at Erik's house, Amsterdam
Sound design and editing by Tobias Withers
SHOW NOTES
The Social Lover on NTS Radio – 30 Years of Sonic Acts (Guest mix for Elena Colombi) https://www.nts.live/shows/elena-colombi/episodes/elena-colombi-28th-october-2024
The Social Lover – SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/the-social-lover
Plafond 8 by Ekolali / Tala Drum Corps
https://bakk.bandcamp.com/album/plafond-8
The Art of Programming – Sonic Acts Press (2001)
https://shop.sonicacts.com/product/the-art-of-programming-sonic-acts-2001
The Art of Point • Pixel • Programming – Sonic Acts Press (2001)
https://shop.sonicacts.com/product/the-art-of-pointpixelprogramming
Synthetic Vocabulary by Raung Jagat Synthetic
https://prakarsa.bandcamp.com/album/synthetic-vocabulary
Plastic Symphonies by Siriosa's Post-Human Symphonic Choir
https://prakarsa.bandcamp.com/album/plastic-symphonies
Woodstock (1970 documentary film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_(film)
TRANCE: Sonic Acts Biennial 2024
https://2024.sonicacts.com/programme/trance
From In Gome.. Wisisi. Dari Gome Papua
https://youtu.be/K48ajhogw5Y
Jammer
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkwbCp6tQZHAJD1UQnQCZtg
Venetian Snares
https://venetiansnares.bandcamp.com/
Discussing his process, Verkuylen reflects on pivotal technological shifts, from the work of early computer art pioneer Lillian Schwartz to the artistic possibilities of AI in the present day. Featuring snippets from his deep dive, the podcast explores what it means to remix archives as a form of collage – reinterpreting and layering history, and connecting to contemporary sound practices.
Sonic Trax: Remixing the History of Sound Art is a podcast by Sonic Acts exploring the institution's archive, which dates back to the mid-1990s. Examining creative approaches and interventions, the series reveals broader narratives about the lineage of sound art, tracing its evolution and enduring resonance.
Sonic Acts Archive projects are supported by the Mondriaan Fonds and Cultuurloket DigitALL. Realised by Paradiso and Sonic Acts as part of New Perspectives for Action. A project by Re-Imagine Europe, co-funded by the European Union.
CREDITS
Recorded at Erik's house, Amsterdam
Sound design and editing by Tobias Withers
SHOW NOTES
The Social Lover on NTS Radio – 30 Years of Sonic Acts (Guest mix for Elena Colombi) https://www.nts.live/shows/elena-colombi/episodes/elena-colombi-28th-october-2024
The Social Lover – SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/the-social-lover
Plafond 8 by Ekolali / Tala Drum Corps
https://bakk.bandcamp.com/album/plafond-8
The Art of Programming – Sonic Acts Press (2001)
https://shop.sonicacts.com/product/the-art-of-programming-sonic-acts-2001
The Art of Point • Pixel • Programming – Sonic Acts Press (2001)
https://shop.sonicacts.com/product/the-art-of-pointpixelprogramming
Synthetic Vocabulary by Raung Jagat Synthetic
https://prakarsa.bandcamp.com/album/synthetic-vocabulary
Plastic Symphonies by Siriosa's Post-Human Symphonic Choir
https://prakarsa.bandcamp.com/album/plastic-symphonies
Woodstock (1970 documentary film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_(film)
TRANCE: Sonic Acts Biennial 2024
https://2024.sonicacts.com/programme/trance
From In Gome.. Wisisi. Dari Gome Papua
https://youtu.be/K48ajhogw5Y
Jammer
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkwbCp6tQZHAJD1UQnQCZtg
Venetian Snares
https://venetiansnares.bandcamp.com/