Sacred Technologies: Numinous and Grotesque Symbolism of Electronic Music Devices in Instrumental Theater by Charles Quevillon

This artistic research thesis investigates how performance with electronic music devices, such as the loudspeaker, electric guitar, and amplifier, connects to domains of the sacred. It combines theory from anthropology, religious studies, musicology and history of technology with my artistic practice as a composer. Inspired by Mauricio Kagel’s instrumental theater, I introduce the concept of Symbolic Sound-Producing Gestures, drawing on Jungian symbolism (Jung 1964) and Artaud’s Animated Hieroglyphs (1938), to explore sacred symbolism in instruments, sounds, and expanded instrumental techniques used in my works. Drawing on Durkheim’s sacred/profane dichotomy (1912), Erik Davis’s Techgnosis (1998), and the concept of sacred consumption (Belk, Wallendorf and Sherry 1989), I examine the paradoxical entanglement of sacred and profane in contemporary culture. Three of my artistic works exemplify how representations of electronic music devices can articulate this entanglement; a process that ultimately led to the concept of Grotesque Numinosity as my personal aesthetic lens. Because of their history and cultural manifestations, these devices are rich in sacred associations. Moreover, by Channeling Energy, they can evoke the emotional intensity of the numinous (Otto 1917): awe, dread, and mystery.

Loudspeaker Baptism

Delivery — Memories — Suffering — Sublimation
Chamber opera in 4 acts, 60', 2024
For soprano, accordion, Genelec 8020D, puppeteer and electronics

Created by Charles Quevillon with Sawtooth Duo (Sarah Albu and Matti Pulkki)
Composition and Stage Direction: Charles Quevillon
Lights: Erno Seppälä
Stage: Erno Seppälä and Charles Quevillon
Video graphics: Jan Rosström
Libretto: Charles Quevillon with inspiration from Eino Leino and Genelec user manual. Editing by Maija Tammi
Performed by: Sarah Albu (soprano), Matti Pulkki (accordion) and Charles Quevillon (puppeteer and electronics)

Making of Loudspeaker Baptism

Full performance filmed on March 13th 2025 at Espace Orange | Édifice Wilder in Montreal (CA).

Video recording: Xavier Madore

Excerpts from a performance filmed on August 31st 2024 in Aleksanterin Teatteri in Helsinki (FI).

Video recording: Rabbe Sandström

Score

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Charles Quevillon - Sacred Technologies: Numinous and Grotesque Symbolism of Electronic Music Devices in Instrumental Theater - 2025