ABOUT PROGRAMME SUAL AWARD PRESS IMPRESSUM SUAL HOME
The Interdisciplinary Festival for Music and Sound Art SUAL enters 2011 its sixth season. This edition's title
NEAR WEST points at current contemporary music and art practices from Israel and neighbouring Arab
countries.
SUAL 2011 provides a stage for artists from the so-called ‘Near East’, some of whom found a second (maybe
temporary) home in Austria or other European countries. The festival’s title NEAR WEST implies a change of
perspective regarding the – sometimes utopian - proximity to the ‘Fortress Europe’, and at the same time
reflects on the manifold cultural connections between ‘estranged siblings’. SUAL 2011 strives to present
exceptional artistic positions in the realms of music, sound art, as well as related artistic categories. Far
beyond political demarcation lines, a geographic region is explored by artistic criteria, individual
idiosyncrasies are highlighted, individual collaborations encouraged. The scope of SUAL 2011 ranges from
contemporary instrumental compositions free improvisation, electroacoustic electronic music, and world
music, to artistic creations within the domains of documentary film and media art. Additional activities
include a lecture about Arabic music, a panel discussion and an open call for new works in collaboration with
Austrian and international music institutions.
Vienna, August 2011
Bernhard Gál and Belma Bešlić-Gál
shut up and listen! 2011
Interdisciplinary Festival for Music and Sound Art
NEAR WEST points at current contemporary music and art practices from Israel and neighbouring Arab
countries.
SUAL 2011 provides a stage for artists from the so-called ‘Near East’, some of whom found a second (maybe
temporary) home in Austria or other European countries. The festival’s title NEAR WEST implies a change of
perspective regarding the – sometimes utopian - proximity to the ‘Fortress Europe’, and at the same time
reflects on the manifold cultural connections between ‘estranged siblings’. SUAL 2011 strives to present
exceptional artistic positions in the realms of music, sound art, as well as related artistic categories. Far
beyond political demarcation lines, a geographic region is explored by artistic criteria, individual
idiosyncrasies are highlighted, individual collaborations encouraged. The scope of SUAL 2011 ranges from
contemporary instrumental compositions free improvisation, electroacoustic electronic music, and world
music, to artistic creations within the domains of documentary film and media art. Additional activities
include a lecture about Arabic music, a panel discussion and an open call for new works in collaboration with
Austrian and international music institutions.
Vienna, August 2011
Bernhard Gál and Belma Bešlić-Gál
shut up and listen! 2011
Interdisciplinary Festival for Music and Sound Art