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.

Electric Unconscious

Staged Concert, 55', 2023
For electric guitar, flute, alto saxophone, mini-fridge and electronics.

Created by Charles Quevillon with Kollektiv Totem
Charles Quevillon: Composition, Stage Direction and Performance
Nuriia Khasenova: Flute
Kay Zhang: Saxophone
Léo Collin: Guitar
Leandro Gianini: Technical Director
Set and Light Design by Charles Quevillon / Leandro Gianini

Making of Electric Unconscious

Full performance filmed on 31st October 2023 in Black Box, Musiikkitalo in Helsinki (FI).

Video recording by Rabbe Sandström

Excerpts a performance filmed on 24th of June 2023 in Zurich Kunstraum Walcheturm, Zürich (CH).

Score

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