Centlalia, 2020
Centalia, from Náhuatl to gather, congregate, bring together; came about as a sound intervention for Mexican artist Luciano Matus’ urban installation titled Espacio Presencia.
The point of departure for this piece is the symbolic dimension of the inverted pyramid present in Matus’ installation and seeks to create a syncretic universe in which a certain ethnic and ceremonial musicality converges with sound creation in electronic media and in musical experimentation.
After the collaboration with Matus, the piece resulted in a sound performance that is nourished by multiple ritualistic and shamanic practices of various native cultures, primarily pre-Hispanic.
The work is made to be broadcast on a quadraphonic sound system and is made up of a combination of feedback signals processed with songs and sounds of instruments of ethnic origin such as ocarinas, whistles, harmonicas and jingle bells.
The music is complemented by the presence of a central fire that emanates smoke with aroma. During the performance, the fire is fueled with rum, while various types of resins, plants, woods and meat are thrown into it.