The Orquesta Experimental de Instrumentos Nativos (OEIN) is a collective of sonic research and creation that works from Indigenous Andean musical practices to develop contemporary forms of composition, listening, and performance.
In recent years, the OEIN has consolidated itself as a singular force within contemporary music, operating less as a traditional ensemble and more as a collective platform for research, experimentation, and creation. Rooted in the sonic knowledge of the Andean region, the group has expanded its practice beyond performance to engage deeply with questions of listening, memory, and the evolving life of Indigenous musical systems.
A defining aspect of their recent work is the integration of research and creation. Projects often emerge from sustained engagement with historical archives, oral traditions, and community-based knowledge, which are then reinterpreted through collaborative rehearsal processes. This has led to performances that feel both grounded and forward-looking, where ancestral practices are neither preserved nor abstracted, but transformed through collective exploration.
OEIN’s performances emphasize spatialization, embodiment, and the social dimension of sound. The ensemble frequently reconfigures the relationship between musicians and audience, creating immersive environments where listening unfolds as a shared experience. This approach reinforces their broader artistic position: music not as a fixed object, but as a dynamic, relational practice.
Through this sustained work, OEIN has positioned itself at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and experimental music, contributing a distinct voice to global contemporary discourse while remaining deeply connected to the territories and communities from which its sound emerges.
