Mia Khoirunisa
In an era marked by rapid shifts and pervasive unknowns, the sonic landscapes crafted by Istanbul-based composer and artist Hüma Utku are resonating with a profound sense of relevance. Her latest contribution to the Mercurial Cycles series, a meticulously curated mix submitted to Refuge Worldwide in Berlin, delves into the often-overlooked spaces of marginalia and the mysteries of the unknown. This collection of sounds, described as exploring "fragile gestures in the shadows," arrives at a moment when many are seeking grounding and introspection amidst global flux.
Utku’s artistic practice consistently engages with themes of the liminal, the uncanny, and the deeply personal. Her previous full-length album, Dracones, released on Editions Mego, explored demonology and hauntology with a potent, fearless approach. Yet, even within its more intense sonic explorations, Dracones offered moments of profound stillness, a characteristic that seems to have carried into her latest mix. This duality—the confrontation with the unknown coupled with the embrace of quietude—positions Utku’s work as a timely balm for contemporary anxieties.
Embracing Stillness and Radical Presence
In her accompanying notes for the Mercurial Cycles mix, Utku articulates a personal philosophy that underpins the selection: "I’m solo on this one, delving deeper into a state of stillness and radical presence. Moving forward in anticipation of change, in acceptance of the unknown. Grateful for the moment." This statement reflects a deliberate artistic choice to navigate the complexities of the present by cultivating an inner equilibrium. The mix, therefore, is not merely a compilation of tracks but an intentional journey towards a state of mindful engagement with one’s surroundings and internal landscape.
The Mercurial Cycles series, known for its eclectic and thought-provoking programming, features this episode as the fourth and final installment to showcase the evocative photographic work of Michaela Knizova (@nynewe). Knizova’s visual contributions are integral to the immersive experience, providing a complementary aesthetic dimension to Utku’s sonic explorations. The synergy between sound and image in this series highlights a growing trend in digital media to offer multi-sensory artistic experiences.
A Curated Journey Through Sound and Shadow
The track listing for this particular episode of Mercurial Cycles reveals a thoughtful curation, blending established favorites with emerging discoveries. The selection is described by the author of the original piece as fitting "the moment—of needing to find some meaning in the uncertainty, like looking into the darkness until some pattern emerges, to center oneself." This suggests a deliberate sequencing designed to guide the listener through a sonic narrative that mirrors the process of finding clarity amidst ambiguity.
The featured artists and tracks represent a diverse spectrum of experimental and electronic music, including:
- Adomas Palekas, Elif Gülün Sözüsü – In the Perpetual Circle, Part 1
- 9T Antiope – Mount 22
- Félicia Atkinson & Christina Vantzou – Film Still/The Sea
- Southeast of Rain – Day 22: Luminescence
- Caterina Barbieri – Intuition Nimbus
- Dagmar Zuniga – Even God Gets Stuck in Devotion (feat. Austyn Wohlers)
- Alex Zhang Hungtai – Mazil
- Lucy Railton – Phase I
- Ohyung – Storm Chase
- Sofie Birch & Antonina Nowacka – Morning Room I
- Maria W Horn & Sara Parkman (Funeral Folk) – Kyrie
- Hüma Utku – Rüya (Simdiki Zaman Kipinde)
- Merzbow, Iggor Cavalera & Eraldo Bernocchi – Swietenia Macrophylla
- Kevin Drumm – Cloudy
- Jana Irmert – Portals
- Liu Yiwei – Cong Jian (by Liu Yiwei)
- The Bird’s Companion – With Untiring Hands
- Rosa Anschütz – Like Oxblood
This eclectic mix underscores Utku’s expansive taste and her ability to weave together disparate sonic threads into a cohesive whole. The inclusion of artists such as Merzbow, known for his pioneering work in noise music, alongside the more ambient textures of Sofie Birch, showcases a broad engagement with the avant-garde.
Dracones: A Precedent of Fearless Exploration
The article also references Dracones, Utku’s previous album on Editions Mego, which serves as a crucial point of context for understanding her current artistic direction. Released in the spring of the preceding year, Dracones was a testament to Utku’s innovative use of synthesis and her thematic depth. The album was crafted with textures from the Buchla 100 system during an EMS residency in Stockholm, demonstrating her technical prowess and commitment to exploring new sonic territories.
Utku’s contributions on Dracones included vocals, cello, and electric guitar, augmented by a unique guest performance by Mihalis Shammas on the self-built instrument known as the "Lyraei." This collaborative aspect, combined with the album’s conceptual underpinnings—a journey into demonology and hauntology—positioned Dracones as a significant work in the experimental music scene. Descriptions of the album as a blend of "bubbling alien moon" and "industrial meditation" capture its multifaceted and captivating nature. The article suggests that Utku’s entire back catalog warrants exploration, indicating a consistent trajectory of compelling artistic output.
The Artist’s Process: A Glimpse into the ‘Lab’
A visual element accompanying the article offers a rare glimpse into Utku’s creative environment. A shared Instagram reel, embedded within the original content, depicts Utku in what is described as a "lab," controlling a "spacecraft." This metaphorical framing suggests the artist’s deep engagement with her tools and processes, akin to a scientist or an explorer charting unknown territories. The visual representation of her working method reinforces the idea that her music is not merely composed but meticulously engineered and navigated. The reel, originating from a post dated in the past, offers a historical anchor to her ongoing creative endeavors.
Contextualizing the Mercurial Cycles Series
Refuge Worldwide, the Berlin-based radio platform hosting Utku’s mix, has established itself as a significant voice in the dissemination of contemporary experimental and electronic music. The platform frequently collaborates with artists to present mixes, live sessions, and discussions that push the boundaries of sound and explore diverse cultural influences. The Mercurial Cycles series, in particular, appears to be a dedicated program designed to offer a platform for artists to present thematic sonic journeys, often accompanied by visual art. The emphasis on "marginalia and mysteries of the unknown" suggests a curatorial focus on artists who engage with less conventional or more introspective aspects of sound creation.
The fact that this mix was submitted from Istanbul to Berlin highlights the increasingly globalized nature of artistic collaboration and dissemination in the digital age. Utku’s geographical location in Istanbul, a city bridging continents and cultures, may well inform the unique perspective and sonic palette she brings to her work.
Broader Implications: Music as a Tool for Resilience
In a world grappling with multifaceted challenges—from climate change and geopolitical instability to personal anxieties and social isolation—the role of art, and specifically music, in fostering resilience and offering solace becomes increasingly important. Hüma Utku’s Mercurial Cycles mix, with its emphasis on stillness, presence, and the acceptance of the unknown, provides a potent example of how artists can respond to the zeitgeist.
The act of listening to such a curated selection can be seen as a form of active engagement with complex emotions and societal conditions. By creating sonic spaces that encourage introspection and contemplation, artists like Utku empower listeners to process their own experiences and find moments of calm and clarity. The "deeper level" at which this mix "fits today" speaks to a fundamental human need for connection, understanding, and a sense of grounding, even when external circumstances are turbulent.
The collaboration with visual artist Michaela Knizova further underscores the potential for interdisciplinary approaches to enhance the impact of artistic works. In an age of information overload, the synergy of sound and image can create more profound and memorable experiences, offering a richer form of escapism or introspection.
The inclusion of Utku’s own track, Rüya (Simdiki Zaman Kipinde), within the mix adds another layer of personal expression to the curated journey. It signifies her direct contribution to the thematic exploration, weaving her own artistic voice into the larger tapestry of sounds.
Ultimately, Hüma Utku’s latest offering through Mercurial Cycles is more than just a music mix; it is an invitation to engage with the complexities of our present moment through a lens of artistic sensitivity and introspective exploration. As the world continues to navigate its uncertainties, such artistic interventions serve as vital anchors, reminding us of the enduring power of creativity to illuminate, console, and connect. The ongoing relevance of her work, from the profound depths of Dracones to the meditative embrace of this latest mix, solidifies Hüma Utku’s position as a significant and insightful voice in contemporary experimental music.
