2nd June, 19:30, Cafe OTO, 18–22 Ashwin street, Dalston, London, E8 3DL

Sanatorium Merkurial is a joint initiative of Sanatorium of Sound – an experimental music festival in Sokołowsko (Poland) – and the publishing collective Merkurial, founded by Robert Piotrowicz and Jacek Sienkiewicz.

The main goal of Sanatorium Merkurial is to showcase artists associated with Merkurial as well as those connected to the Sanatorium of Sound festival, with a particular focus on creators from Poland and Eastern Europe.

This year’s edition of Sanatorium Merkurial focuses on new electronic music, presenting artists whose work and experience shape distinct narratives within the contemporary scene. Their bold and independent voices stand out for their uniqueness, creating space for new forms of expression and dialogue within modern sound culture.

The concert at Cafe Oto will feature the work of the following artists: Anton Lukoszevieze, Robert Piotrowicz, Artur Rumiński, Jacek Sienkiewicz. Read more about each of them below.

Sanatorium of Sound is realized by In Situ Foundation for Contemporary Art.
This project is co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland from the Culture Promotion Fund.

Anton Lukoszevieze

Descended from a retreating Napoleonic soldier and a Lithuanian noblewoman, Anton Lukoszevieze is a cellist, composer, improviser and multidisciplinary artist. He is also the founder and director of the experimental music group Apartment House, releasing over 40 albums with them.

http://www.antonlukoszevieze.co.uk/

Robert Piotrowicz

Robert Piotrowicz is a Polish composer, improviser, and sound artist. His work spans a broad range of electroacoustic and experimental music, frequently blending acoustic elements with electronics. Advanced modular synthesizers serve as a central tool in his practice, enabling him to create unique, often microtonal sound structures.

His albums—such as Lincoln Sea, Afterlife, and When Snakeboy Is Dying—feature electronic soundscapes combined with acoustic instrumentation, while works like Lasting Clinamen and Euzebio highlight his conceptual approach to sound, balancing between immersive drones and dreamlike minimalism. Influenced by both the Polish avant-garde tradition and contemporary artistic practices, Piotrowicz continually redefines established musical conventions.

Piotrowicz has collaborated with performing ensembles such as Phoenix Ensemble and Apartment House, and he has composed music for films and television programs. His extensive live appearances include performances at festivals in almost 40 countries—among them Unsound, SONAR, CTM, Aural Festival, LUFF, and What Is Music. He was also a co-founder and curator of the Musica Genera festival and label.

https://robertpiotrowicz.bandcamp.com

Artur Rumiński

Artur Rumiński is a Polish guitarist and composer known for his longstanding involvement in bands such as Furia, Thaw, Gruzja, ARRM, and Mentor. His distinctive style merges elements from black metal, ambient, and noise, resulting in unique sonic landscapes. He gained particular recognition as a member of Furia, bringing an experimental edge that imbued the group’s sound with a more avant-garde character.

Beyond his work with metal bands, Rumiński pursues solo projects like the album Structure and is involved in post-rock and drone-oriented acts (e.g., ARRM). In his own compositions, he often traverses the boundary between minimalism and noise, crafting intense, immersive sonic experiences. He also regularly appears at experimental music events, performing at alternative festivals and collaborating with electroacoustic artists. Through this breadth of activity, Rumiński bridges the worlds of extreme guitar-based music and the avant-garde, expanding the possibilities of the traditional metal scene.

https://arturruminski.bandcamp.com

Jacek Sienkiewicz

Jacek Sienkiewicz is a Warsaw-based producer, composer, and performer—one of Poland’s electronic music pioneers. For over 25 years, he has refined a singular sound merging minimal techno, abstract ambient, and experimental forms. Since the early ‘90s, he has continually expanded electronic music’s boundaries.

In 1999, he launched Recognition, issuing his own albums and over 50 EPs, while also supporting emerging artists. Sienkiewicz’s style—rooted in a distinctive approach to sound—has evolved from a debut at Warsaw’s Centre for Contemporary Art to deeper explorations of rhythm and abstraction. He has worked with Ricardo Villalobos, Max Loderbauer, Robert Piotrowicz, and Atom™, with releases on Cocoon, Klang Elektronik, Smallville, Bocian, and Bołt.

Beyond the club scene, he composes for theater, dance, radio plays, and films. His 2024 interpretation of Stanisław Dróżdż’s Alea iacta est at the Museum of Art in Łódź showcased his blend of conceptual art and modern sound tech. Sienkiewicz’s live sets have reached festivals like MUTEK and Transmediale, as well as intimate clubs worldwide.

https://recognition.bandcamp.com

Sanatorium of Sound

Sanatorium of Sound is a festival of experimental music and sound art organized by the In Situ Foundation in Sokołowsko, in the Lower Silesia region. Its first edition was held in 2014, and it has since become one of the most notable events in Europe dedicated to contemporary music and sound art. The festival attracts composers, musicians, visual artists, researchers, and sound enthusiasts from many countries, serving as a site of international exchange and premiering work at the intersection of various artistic disciplines.

Alongside concerts, the festival program features multimedia installations, performances, workshops, and panel discussions devoted to both new compositional approaches and unconventional sound practices. A key advantage of Sanatorium of Sound is its unique setting—the festival takes place in the revitalized spaces of a historic spa, lending the event a distinctive atmosphere that encourages artistic exploration. The heritage architecture of Sokołowsko and the surrounding mountains provide artists and participants alike with a singular perspective on sound and its relationship to the environment.

In previous editions, Sanatorium of Sound has welcomed artists representing a variety of musical styles and artistic backgrounds—from renowned veterans of the electroacoustic scene and academic composers, to younger generations of experimental creators. The festival’s multifaceted program allows each attendee to find something inspiring, whether it be classic forms of contemporary music, interactive installations, or workshops offering hands-on lessons in creating and processing sound.

Sanatorium of Sound is also a forum for discussing the role of sound in culture and society. During the festival, thematic panels bring together artists, curators, and researchers to debate issues related to sound, technology, and auditory perception. As a result, the event provides a platform for reflecting on the future of music and sound art, as well as on the importance of innovation in composition and the popularization of avant-garde creativity.

The festival organizers—In Situ Foundation—make every effort to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and to actively involve the local community in the initiative. Through this approach, Sanatorium of Sound not only fosters the growth of independent and experimental art in the region but also draws numerous visitors from Poland and abroad to Sokołowsko. Consequently, the festival serves not just an artistic role but also an educational and integrative one, enhancing the cultural life of Lower Silesia and reinforcing Sokołowsko’s position as an important hub for creative work in experimental music.

https://sanatoriumofsound.com

Merkurial

Merkurial is a new artistic and publishing collective founded by Robert Piotrowicz and Jacek Sienkiewicz – two renowned figures in contemporary electronic music. Its aim is to create a platform for artists focused on releases and concert presentations, whose work redefines the landscape of electronic music – ranging from abstract, sophisticated forms to bold, innovative compositions.

Although Piotrowicz and Sienkiewicz come from different musical backgrounds, they unite their unique artistic visions within Merkurial. The former explores the boundaries of electroacoustic music, redefining the role of synthetic instruments in the creative process, while the latter is an experienced producer in minimal techno, known for his sonic precision and open, narrative approach to composition.

Merkurial emphasizes experimental courage and the discovery of new territories in sound art. The artists involved in this initiative break conventional genre boundaries while fostering collaboration and exchange of experiences. The collective organizes concert events and co-produces releases, promoting groundbreaking projects and expanding an international network of creators.

https://www.instagram.com/m_e_r_k_u_r_i_a_l