Infinite Expanse is excited to announce the reissue of Holland Festival, the soundtrack for The Theatre for Moveable People, Objects and Music, originally performed live in 1983 during the Holland Festival at the City Theatre in Amsterdam. This first-time vinyl edition captures the essence of an audacious and provocative Fluxus art event which remains a landmark in the Dutch avant-garde scene.
The recordings, captured over four consecutive nights, were edited at the EXART studio in IJmuiden and initially released shortly after on cassette. This reissue breathes new life into the work, with the original audio restored and remastered by Mikey Young, allowing listeners to experience unique sonic landscapes of Portable Vaudeville, a short-lived duo comprised of Hessel Veldman (Y Create, Gorgonzola Legs, FNTC) and Kees van Ede.
The original performance formed part of Willem de Ridder’s art-works-performances, blending city walks, everyday movable objects, suspense, fear therapy, storytelling, and absurd performance art – all collaboratively crafted by the audience. The soundtrack itself is a captivating collage of daily sounds, simple kitschy rhythms, and chaotic machine harmonies, created using a range of layered synths, and resulting in an hour-long deep hallucinatory listening experience.
During the first night, Veldman and van Ede performed alongside a violinist from the Dutch Symphony Orchestra; however, his classical approach clashed with the unconventional and improvised nature of the performance. The following three nights showcased Veldman and van Ede’s synergy, creating a memorable auditory experience.
The original show, however, sparked controversy and debate, described by the press as a “disgusting display” that blurred the lines of art. Among the shocking elements were performances featuring unconventional props and intense imagery, which some critics deemed a misrepresentation of artistic expression. As a result, the show became a defining moment in the history of the Holland Festival."
