Have you ever stopped to think about what the sun sounds like?
The sun vibrates in a complex pattern of sound waves, and recordings of these vibrations remarkably resemble the resonant sound of a tamtam (a special type of gong). This intriguing concept inspired visual artist Boris Acket and HIIIT to create a spectacular fusion of image, sound, and light, in which an artificial sun slowly orbits the Earth, following the sound and body of a tamtam—originating from Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Mikrophonie series.

Two celestial bodies representing the sun are accompanied by four automated tamtams and gongs. The metallic surfaces create a soundscape that changes depending on where you stand: by moving through the space, you encounter different frequencies. The two celestial bodies, installed at opposite ends of the space, form a beautiful interplay with the acoustics of the grand Herrenhausen Gallery. A fascinating duet of light, sound, space, and shadow.

During the First and Second World Wars, church bells were widely melted down into deadly weapons. Now that Europe is gradually being drawn into a new war on its own soil, HIIIT is reversing this process with Battles & Silences. In this project, battlefield weapon waste will serve as the foundation for a new series of instruments and compositions in the coming years.

In the spring of 2024, eight kilograms of Ukrainian bullet casings were melted down into bars in Kyiv, shipped, and then reforged in the Netherlands into a new resonant bell—marking the beginning of this reversal: turning destruction back into beauty. With Battles & Silences, HIIIT creates an alternative, immersive, and imaginary landscape that allows space to listen to this transformation and reflect on our urgent longing for peace.

Composer duo Poulson Sq. (Anthony Fiumara & Mathijs Leeuwis) confront the audience—together with two performers from HIIIT—with the pressing and ever-relevant reminder that peace is never a given. Through analog tape echoes and percussive interventions, the sounds of the 45-kilogram bell will compose a landscape of battles and silences.

Night Watch is a pitch black, primal and deeply sad play that deals with themes of family, emancipation and authority through old age and death. A family drama in which everyone tries to break free from the role assigned to them so that they can decide for themselves what they really believe in. A dark and meditative performance. Oppressive but ultimately liberating. In which a weakening heartbeat slowly turns into an uptempo beat. A ritual journey to the end of the night, towards the first light of the new day.

Together with Asko|Schönberg, Nederlands Kamerkoor and NKK NXT, HIIIT provides the music – which is written by David Dramm and Luke Deane. Percussionist Niels Meliefste developed a characteristic Old Dutch instrumentation especially for Night Watch.