Transart 2019 Festival Explores Nature-Tech Tensions in Bolzano

The 19th edition of Transart, a multidisciplinary festival in Bolzano, runs from September 11–28, 2019, with a program inspired by humanity's complex relationship with nature. Artistic director Peter Paul Kainrath states that despite digital obsession, nature still dictates the pace. The festival opens with Jan Lauwers & Needcompany's 'All the good,' a dance piece about an ex-Israeli special forces soldier. Other highlights include Eugene Ughetti's 'Polar Force' (Sept 12) at NOI Techpark, using field recordings from the Arctic; Benedict Mason's 'Hotel Paradiso' (Sept 21–22) at Mittelsee near Lago di Carezza, featuring 36 hunting horns, 24 tubas, 24 horns, and a 60-person choir; and Ontroerend Goed's participatory casino-style piece at Museion (Sept 19). Transart Digital Park (Sept 14) at Ex-Masten, in collaboration with Montreal's Mutek festival, features Artificiel, Line Katcho, Surgeon, Edna King, and Rrose. A prequel performance 'Sasmujel' by Eduard Demetz, Hubert Kostner, and Anastasia Kostner took place July 27 at Sassolungo mountain. The festival uses unconventional venues across the region, including abandoned factories, mountain huts, and former barracks.