Guiding Principles

As the word laboratory implies, IMDL is a space for testing experimental approaches to improvisation, covering ensemble dynamics and notation methods. This culture of experimentation doesn’t happen automatically. It requires intentional preservation and cultivation.

We approach IMDL through the following three guidelines:

Regularity

Improvisation thrives on spontaneity, intermediacy, and impulse. However, these qualities need a stable foundation to succed. Temporary efforts alone might be insufficient. That’s why IMDL is created as a monthly performance series, a rhythm that supports consistency and growth.

Intercity Collaboration

This year, we organize performances that bring together artists from Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. We’re eager to see what happens when different artistic cultures and practices come together and how they challenge, complement, and transform each other.

Digital Archiving

Each performance is recorded and preserved. This serves not only as a memory but also for reflection, study, and future inspiration. We believe that improvisation, though ephemeral, deserves to be witnessed again, even if only in fragments.