Literally, vidnaObmana means 'optical illusion'. For more than twenty-four years, this metaphor would prove the suitable moniker for a project which has allowed Dirk Serries the ultimate freedom of placing his music before his personality. A self-taught electronic musician, Serries initially explored different musical formats bordering noise and dark sound collages in the early 80s before discovering canon-like looping techniques and subtle methods of shaping harmonies by merging different layers of no more than a few notes. Embracing the challenge of leaping into uncharted territory, he has continously refined his technique of minimalistic sound-sculpting while at the same time expanding his horizon with a wide range of rhythms and various acoustic instruments. Over the course of a long and winding career, Serries has also fused his recognisable style with various contemporary influences and seamlessly integrated avantgardistic elements.

Recognized internationally for both solo- and collaborative works, the vidnaObmana catalogue today comprises over thirty-four albums, commissioned works for Dutch national radio, Antwerp's Zoo, Rotterdam Biënnale, a Japanese tv documentary and MTV US as well as several Belgian video art productions. In collaborative mode he worked together with international artists Steve Roach, Alio Die, Robert Rich, Willem Tanke, Asmus Tietchens, Jan Marmenout, Steven Wilson and the Holland Symfonia. He also toured worldwide including several US tours. Through a prolific productivity, Serries has paved the way for an expanded awareness and global recognition of his project. As vidnaObmana, he has explored the abrasive side of electronic composition, freeform landscapes of isolationist ambient aesthetics, structured interactivity and post-classical experimentations.

With the culmination of his two-and-a-half decade long tour-de-force in the grandly designed Dante trilogy for pioneering extreme metal label Relapse Records, Dirk Serries decided the story of vidnaObmana had been told. Remaining projects, including his epic Opera For Four Fusion Works, were finalized and the back catalogue continues to live through befriended labels and ongoing listening sessions on the soundsystems of fans and radio stations worldwide. His oeuvre still inspires new generations of musicians: only recently, american duo Dreams In Exile payed homage to the vidna-classic „The River Of Appearance“ by recording their own, integral interpretation.

visit the vidnaObmana myspace

Contact us:
vidnaobmana@skynet.be
info@vidnaobmana.be

Martina Verhoeven, photographer:
martinaverhoeven@scarlet.be
www.martinaverhoeven.be