Synesthesia is a live graphic score created and interpreted in real-time by an improvising ensemble. In this new concept, Mazen Kerbaj acts both as the conductor of the ensemble and the director of a movie in the making; the images he produces on his glass table are projected on a large screen for the audience, and on smaller screens for the musicians who use them as material and indications to be interpreted instantaneously. The musicians react to the images, and the conductor reacts to the music in return, each side feeding on the other with no defined hierarchy. The images do not illustrate the music, nor does the music accompany the images; they rather flow together in an organic way. The resulting experience is quite unique for the audience; they can literally see the sound and hear the images of a movie that is made in real-time on stage.
Synesthesia is Kerbaj’s take on various projects from the 20^th century’s music and film traditions, including Cornelius Cardew’s Treatise, Butch Morris’ conductions, graphic scores, free improvised music, live music for early silent movies, avant-garde and experimental films, video art…

SYNESTHESIA #1
was performed on 15 September 2018 at the Ultima Festival (Oslo) by:
Mazen Kerbaj – live visuals/conduction
Christine Abdelnour – saxophone
Lotte Anker – saxophone
Tony Buck – drums
Sofia Jernberg – voice
Andrew Lafkas – double-bass
Sharif Sehnaoui – e. guitar
Michael Vorfeld – percussion
Christian Wallumrød – electronics

SYNESTHESIA #2
was performed on 16 September 2021 at the Irtijal Festival (Beirut) by:
Mazen Kerbaj – live visuals/conduction
Shakeeb Abu Hamdan – drums
Jad Atoui – modular synth
Abed Kobeissy buzuk – electronics
Sary Moussa synth – electronics
Malek Rizkallah – drums
Sharif Sehnaoui – guitar