Sound as divinity

Photo by Erik Sanchez
Photo by Erik Sanchez

Join us on this sonorous travel tracing a number of archaeological musical artifacts native to Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Europeans, and journey with Luis Perez Ixoneztli into the early perceptions regarding sound conceived as divinity. SAVVYZΛΛR commissioned composer, educator, musician and instrument maker Luis Perez Ixoneztli to produce a 4-part series which peers into profound observations by indigenous peoples of Mexico and delves into visiting emanations and developments of the evolution of music, as influenced by the sounds heard in the natural world: re-created by using vocal and corporal expressions, and then leading to the incorporation of tools used as sonorous objects, bringing about their evolution to musical instruments. Music was a sacred source to honor creation, to help maintain balance in the natural world, to heal the sick, and to help in the expansion of consciousness. With him, we learn about the process of recovering ancient instruments and their uses by incorporating them into contemporary music. 

FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH MUSIC
Luis Perez Ixoneztli takes us into the realms of music’s early developments in ancient Mexico and the longstanding processes and efforts part of his embrace and understanding of its very essence, according to his own personal vision.  

MAKING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
The first encounters with music by prehistoric humans were based on their deep observations of the already-existing rhythms and landscapes created by the interacting sounds of elements in the natural world. Luis Perez Ixoneztli traces sound as a divinity, guiding us into the cultivation of music and musical instruments in ancient Mexico.  

THE MAYAN CITY OF PALENQUE
American civilizations were ravaged by European invasions and so was their sacred vehicle to communicate with the divine: music. Still, remnants are re-emerging constantly and continuously at present time to esteem its sacred cosmogony. 

REMNANTS
Many musical instruments have been recovered from ancient burials, and are being used today in combination with contemporary music styles and technologies, which create new musical languages and renovate the use of such sacred instruments.