الطارق / Altarek

In collaboration with Tarek Atoui, الطارق focuses on an Arabic musical sensibility known as tarab, which describes the emotional thrall and ecstatic state of the listener. Displayed here are instruments bought during the artist’s research in Saudi Arabia. Some are repurposed; others have been expertly made by local craftsmen. Jad Atoui has adapted the instruments to continuously play compositions combining contemporary electronic sounds and field recordings from Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

For this installation, we repurposed drums into both speakers and microphones. We employed transducers to amplify select drums and integrated various types of microphones, including contact microphones, Aux microphones, and Condenser microphones, into others.

Our approach aimed to transform the drums into not only instruments but also sonic environments. By treating the drums as both sources of sound and receptacles for sound, we invited participants to listen to the surrounding space through the drums themselves. Each drum, crafted from different materials such as wood, metal, brass, or steel, contributed its distinct timbre to the overall auditory landscape, enriching the experience with a multifaceted blend of tones and textures.

Musicians are not only invited to play the drums but also encouraged to engage with them in innovative ways. They can choose to play the drums traditionally, where their sound will resonate and emerge through other drums in the installation. Alternatively, they can inject their own sound directly into the drums, utilizing the feedback system as a creative tool to compose and perform unique pieces in real-time. This interactive approach empowers musicians to explore new sonic territories and collaborate with the installation itself, blurring the lines between performer and instrument and , and expanding the functionality of the drums.

Installation at Riyadh Biennial 2024