Ataneres Ensemble & Karen De Meyer

‘Nature of Us’ takes you on an audiovisual journey through the cycle of life. Minimalist music and breathtaking images weave together into a carefully choreographed, immersive experience. In this interdisciplinary project, the four natural elements are connected to four life phases: The Flow of Becoming – The Spark of Identity – The Grounding of Purpose – The Breath of Reflection. Nature appears not as a backdrop, but as a character: flowing water, smoldering fire, dense forests, and open skies form the visual canvas on which the human journey unfolds. Image and music are synchronized live via a specially developed audiovisual cue structure. Every frame, rhythm, and breath in the music is meticulously mirrored—or subtly countered—by the images, creating a unique tension and depth. Veejay Karen De Meyer follows, together with the musicians, the conductor Erik Desimpelaere. Thus, every performance becomes a lively, breathing performance, unique to the moment, far removed from an ordinary film projection. ‘Nature of Us’ is not a traditional concert, but a reflection on the transient human cycle, reinforced by the power of nature. In a world in which we are becoming increasingly alienated from ourselves and our environment, this project invites us to pause and reflect—not with a finger-pointing, but with a soft, subtle whisper. Karen De Meyer Karen De Meyer is an audiovisual storyteller with a strong focus on film, editing, and visual communication. In a time of digital abundance, she specializes in creating video and photo content that not only informs but above all touches and sticks. Her work always starts from the conviction that a message is only truly remembered when it is experienced emotionally. Karen combines an analytical view with artistic sensitivity. She obtained a master's in International and Vergelijkende Politiek (KULeuven), which gave her a critical, conceptual approach that she uses today in the early phases of audiovisual projects: from idea development to initial script and storyboard proposals. In addition, she followed a master's in the Arts and is active as a professional cellist, a background that gives her a distinct sense of rhythm, timing, and the interaction between image and sound. Professionally, Karen works as Creative Content Manager at Siemens Digital Industries Software. She is at the cradle of the Ataneres Ensemble, as Marketing and Communications Manager, where she is responsible for the majority of video and photo productions. As a freelancer, she works under her own label DieM Productions, with special expertise in musical montages and capturing spontaneous, authentic moments. Karen previously lent her video arts to Ataneres in the now-ended, but wildly successful productions of MMM and De Kleine Prins. Ataneres ensemble Ataneres is a dynamic and autonomous string orchestra from Leuven that brings classical music to life with conviction and imagination for a broad and curious audience. The ensemble typically works without a traditional conductor: every musician actively contributes to the artistic direction, which leads to an intense form of playing together, shared leadership, and continuous innovation. To manage this ambitious production, Erik Desimpelaere was called upon. Erik is a pianist, conductor, and composer, and moves smoothly between classical repertoire and contemporary creations, with a sharp ear for sound balance and ensemble work. In addition to his performing and artistic activities, he is director of the Academy for Music and Woord Kortrijk, where he works daily on artistic quality, pedagogy, and vision development. Composed of a generation of promising young soloists and chamber musicians with diverse Belgian and international backgrounds, Ataneres embodies a fresh, contemporary view of classical musical expression—rooted in tradition, but always in dialogue with the present. For this, the ensemble received the Fuga Trofee in 2019. Program Our Reflection • M. Richter Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten • A. Pärt Violoncelles, Vibrez! • G. Sollima Whispers • M. Richter Root to Leaf • J. Metcalfe V. The Beech Tree • C. Shaw Hanging in D • J. Beving Momentary • O. Arnalds