Installations, sonic experiments, multimedia artworks, and live performances – the “Notations” Festival marked the culmination of the “Notations” Laboratory. Over 60 artists from Armenia and 9 other countries took part in two weeks of intensive experimentation and creative exchange at the State Philharmonia of Armenia, which concluded with a festival where they presented their work to the public.
Organized by hosq, the laboratory brought together artists working across a wide range of disciplines – sound, music, visual art, animation, video art, and artificial intelligence – to explore the intersections between Armenian classical music heritage and contemporary innovation. Drawing on a specially digitized version of Avet Terterian’s Third Symphony by Armenian National Music, the participants used archival Armenian classical music as raw material for new artistic experimentation.
“Notations” not only reinterpreted Armenia’s musical heritage, but also creatively transformed the State Philharmonia itself – introducing new, interdisciplinary modes of expression. The festival showcased unexpected artistic hybrids that reimagined the role of cultural heritage in contemporary artistic practice and drew a number of visitors; a response that deeply moved participants. “Notations reminded us that culture does not end in archives – it lives in the present, is re-embodied through artists, and speaks in new languages.
This laboratory demonstrated how ancient melodies, forgotten sounds, and classical compositions can become experimental platforms for new ideas. The collaboration between artists, the fusion of technology and creativity, and the exchange of experience among participants from different countries proved that Armenian classical music can serve not only as a memory, but also as a driving force for opening new frontiers in contemporary art,”-the organizers noted.
Roza Grigoryan
