ULTIMA 2024 Maja S. K. Ratkje: National Anthems

A performance balancing between utopia and dystopia

Imagine there’s no countries, as John Lennon sang. Now, imagine some new ones. With the help of artificial intelligence, Maja S.K. Ratkje has invented enough new nations to create a world. Balancing between utopia and dystopia, National Anthems is a performance with theatrical elements consisting of national songs Ratkje has composed to represent fictional countries such as Norland Bolis, The Tepublic of the Fiolli and Handong (find out more at atlantispedia.art).  

These hybrid anthems contain many of the characteristics that are commonly cherished in real-world national anthems: a pompous, easily remembered melody that a population can lean into and identify with. Ensemble Modern perform music and rituals, while Ratkje takes on a range of colourful roles as the solo vocalist in each anthem.  

With scenography by Tormod Lindgren and visuals by Peter Knudsen, the performance will include mini-lectures on nationhood by artist, writer and artistic director of NORDTING – The Northern Assembly Amund Sjølie Sveen, whose work has focused on the narratives and power struggles of nation states.  

Supported by Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation

With:
Maja Ratkje – composer, performer
Ensemble Modern – performer
Amund Sjølie Sveen – performer
Tormod Lindgren – scenographer
Peter Knudsen – video