Matthias Engler is a musician, artist, producer, curator and project manager. He studied classical percussion at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and contemporary chamber music at the International Ensemble Modern Academy in Frankfurt am Main. In 2004 he founded the Ensemble Adapter in Berlin, together with harpist Gunnhildur Einarsdóttir. He works as artistic director, general manager and percussionist for the group. As an instrumentalist, he is also a regular guest with numerous music ensembles, including Ensemble Modern, MusikFabrik, Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and Brandt Brauer Frick. He has worked with leading contemporary composers such as Pierre Boulez, Helmut Lachenmann, Maurizio Kagel and Steve Reich. Matthias Engler has taught at the following institutions: Braunschweig University of the Arts (performing arts), Stanford University, Harvard University and others (composition workshops), Iceland University of the Arts (cultural management). His expertise in event production has led to external engagements at the Reykjavík Arts Festival, the European Film Academy and Nordic Music Days. His artistic interest has developed far beyond the role of a music performer over the years. Instead of implementing the ideas of others, his focus is on independent and collaborative work processes in the field of contemporary art – in the form of compositions, installations and stage works.
Nothing is Real (2023)
Synthetic grass, teapot, loudspeaker & light.
Sound exhibit, interpreting musical compositions by John Lennon (1966) and Alvin Lucier (1990).
