FESTIVAL ARTISTS 2025

Carmen Kleykens Vidal (1998* Païs Valencià) is a multimedia artist, post-composer, improviser, and performer from Gandia based in Hamburg, Germany.
Carmen directs and creates projects with different collaborators, building multimedia projects in experimental setups and extensions. She is researching "Fluid Virtual identities", and the impact of XR technology on feminist awareness inside her doctoral studies with Prof. Alexander Schubert in HFMT, Hamburg.
Their work explores XR technology and 3D audio within Queer-feminist and post-human aesthetics, utilising topics such as virtuality, representation, self-exploration, and scientific theories as the main sources of digital action and political message.

Andrew Harlan is a composer, bassist, and sound artist. His music exists at the intersections of contemporary chamber music, experimental club music, free improvisation, and dystopian sound design. His works for instruments and electronics often operate cinematically, seeking to immerse listeners in palpable sonic worlds.
His music has been presented across the USA and Europe by musicians and ensembles such as Yarn/Wire, Metropolis Ensemble, loadbang, and Wet Ink Ensemble, among others.
He has received numerous awards, including the loadbang Commissioning Competition, the Boston Conservatory Sinfonietta Composition Competition, the George Ladd Prix de Paris, and a grant from the Swedish Arts Council. From 2023–2024, he was supported by the J. William Fulbright Commission as a visiting composer at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU). He has also held residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts, Zámek Niměřice, and the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts.
In 2023, he completed the IRCAM Cursus in composition and computer music. He holds a PhD in Composition from UC Berkeley’s Center for New Music and Audio Technologies.

Birgitta Elisa Oftestad is a celebrated young Norwegian cellist known for her captivating stage presence and expressive sound. A cello prodigy, she began playing at age five and has since garnered 18 national and international first prizes as a soloist.
In 2018, Birgitta represented Norway in the "Eurovision Young Musicians" competition and won both "Virtuos" (NRK's competition) and "Frans Helmerson's award" at the Kronberg Academy. In 2019, she opened the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, mirroring Truls Mørk's historic performance.
Birgitta has performed with numerous orchestras, including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Oslo Radio Orchestra, and has graced festivals such as the Bergen International Festival and the Verbier Festival.

Kei Solvang moved to Norway at age five and quickly established herself as a remarkable pianist. She was accepted into the Young Talent Class at the Grieg Academy in 2017 and later joined the prestigious Talent Program at Prof. Jiri Hlinka Piano Academy, where she was mentored by renowned pianists including Leif Ove Andsnes.
Kei has achieved significant recognition, winning 1st Prize and the audience award at the Norwegian National Music Championship for youth, as well as top prizes and finalist positions in international competitions such as Pianale Junior International Academy and Cecilia International Piano Competition.
Her notable performances include a televised solo appearance on "Grieg Minute By Minute" for Edvard Grieg’s 175th anniversary, concerts at Troldhaugen, and the season opening at Oslo’s University Aula. In 2023, she performed Anne-Marie Ørbeck’s Piano Concerto with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Kei has also performed across Europe as both a soloist and chamber musician.

Phelan Nyvoll Walker began his musical career early, winning the “Best Musician Under 18” at the “Ung Klassisk” competition by age 10. He made his solo debut in 2021 with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, performing Prokofiev’s first violin concerto. In 2023, he was a soloist in the “Sound of Climate” concerts. Walker has appeared at notable festivals, including the Rosendal Chamber Music Festival, the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, and the Røros Chamber Music Festival, where he performed Vivaldi’s “Winter” from The Four Seasons. An advocate for contemporary music, he participated in the inaugural “Creative Dialogue France” with Kaija Saariaho. From 2020-2023, he was part of Konstknekt, a Berlin Philharmonic mentorship program. Walker plays a historic 1860 Lacombe violin.

The Komuna Collective is a group of artists, DJs and musicians committed to experimentation. Formed in 2022, Komuna launched in an underground nightclub in Oxford. Since then, they have performed at London Fashion Week, Riposte Queer Raves, as well as in nightclubs and concert halls around Oxford and London. Their work has been supported by the Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust, Arts Council England, The Oxford Research Centre for Humanities, and PRS. Their debut album ‘Views from the Real World’ was released in Autumn 2024.

HJORTED LAB 2025 | OPEN CALL

FAQ

The whole festival takes place in Ankarsrum, in Småland.
Two Options:
- LUMA Space: Super affordable, communal sleeping hall just steps from the venue. Bring your own gear and join us in transforming it into a cozy space. Perfect for folks seeking something affordable, convenient and a bit of an adventure
- Långsjö Camping: Picturesque lakeside camping with bike and linen-rentals available. Ideal for nature lovers and people seeking a quieter retreat.
Book your option at check out when you get your festival pass. Limited spots available.
You can book a bus with our partner Västervik Express or Flixbus from the big cities in Sweden to Västervik.
Then take the local transport from Västervik Resecentrum to
Dynestad vsk (camping) or Ankarsrum väg 40 (Main venue).
More info on: https://kalmarlanstrafik.se/
There is a local restaurant, pizzeria and also a local Coop supermarket.