Installations, sonic experiments, multimedia artworks, and live performances — the “Notations” Festival marked the culmination of an ambitious creative journey launched by the “Notations” Laboratory. Held at the State Philharmonia of Armenia, the two-week program brought together over 60 artists from Armenia and nine other countries for an intensive period of experimentation and artistic exchange.
Organized by hosq, the laboratory united practitioners from diverse disciplines — including sound, music, visual art, animation, video art, and artificial intelligence — to explore the interplay between Armenia’s classical music heritage and contemporary innovation. At the core of this exploration was a specially digitized version of Avet Terterian’s Third Symphony, provided by Armenian National Music. This archival treasure became the raw material for cutting-edge artistic experimentation.
“Notations” not only reinterpreted Armenian musical heritage but also transformed the Philharmonia itself, introducing immersive, interdisciplinary forms of expression into the historic space. The culminating festival presented a wide spectrum of artistic hybrids, reimagining the role of cultural legacy in present-day creativity and drawing an enthusiastic public response that deeply moved the 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,” the organizers noted. “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 experiences across borders proved that Armenian classical music can serve not only as a memory, but as a catalyst for contemporary artistic exploration.”
