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Beethoven and Aliens

People say music is a language anyone speaks and understands. Even the aliens. Just remember the five-note sequence from Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which convinced the visitors from space that humans are too good to be blown into pieces.

That same task is put before Beethoven. His Fifth Symphony, floating with the Voyager 2 in outer space, is among the selected music tasked with a gargantuan mission: to present the possible intelligent creatures out there with a comprehensive explanation of life on Earth and tens of thousands of years of human culture. Bless the music, composers, and musicians.

Sometimes concert-goers (at least the ones who are not playing any instrument) can feel like aliens, too. We indeed enjoy the opportunity to listen to music created right there and then, but the thrill of creation itself eludes us just like the evasive green men dodge our telescopes and radars. But now, all this will change.

Anders Lind acknowledges us, the audience aliens, and he is inviting us join the party! With a little help of our smartphones and an app as colourful and simple as the animations in the movie mentioned above, we'll be able to connect with musicians and communicate with them. Finally, we are given a chance to create our culture, not just observe it as visitors from another planet. Helped by a small device we are going to make that giant leap and leave our first footprint in the uncharted territory, undoubtedly feeling just as triumphant and proud as Neil Armstrong!

The infinite space of possibilities awaits on September 25th. Reach for the stars!

P. S.: If you are not ready for the giant leap, start with a small step: check out Anders Lind's interactive exhibition Lines, and create music in your own space and time!

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