Ursuppe

Davide Bevilacqua, Alberto Boem

Ursuppe (“primordial soup” in German) is a project about the autonomous development of complex hybrid systems that functionally combine together unities of organic or inorganic material, organizing them in a network of communication and mutual influences.

The research is focused on the disposal of a set of artificial elements in a limited environment, which start affecting and reacting to the surroundings until a dynamic equilibrium arise from the initial disorder and asynchronism of the whole.

The projects is a sound performance based on a self made modular synthesizer, whose modules are connected trough organic materials, which are influencing the sound produced by the electronics.

The performers are changing the connections to stimulate the system to generate of sound patterns, or they leave it evolving and growing autonomously.

The electric frequencies are then simultaneously the carrier of the interaction within the system and its own result.

The sound is generated by different DIY sound generator circuits: oscillators, noise generators and amplifiers, which have been embed into a silicon-casting. The inputs are connected with jelly made out of the seaweed Agar Agar, and fruits and vegetables, which conduct the flow of electricity from a sound module to the other, due to the presence of water and salt.

A video camera placed above shows the actions of the performers, their effect on the matter, and its oxidation and liquefaction.

Additional materials (audio recordings, video, pictures, descriptions) of the entire process of development of the project, and previous performances and presentations can be found at:

http://ursuppe-project.tumblr.com/

Bio

Davide Bevilacqua
http://davidebevilacqua.com/
Interface Cultures – Kunstuniversitaet Linz
Austria

Davide Bevilacqua is an artist and organizer with a strong interest in the combination of physical and digital processes. His background is theatre and performance art studies, now focused in interactive new media art. Recurrent in his works is the conscious misuse of conventional materials and recipes, such as foods or devices that are contextualized and re-connotated. He exhibited in Ars Electronica Festival and Sonar Barcelona.

He is currently MA candidates at the Interface Culture Lab, University of Art and Design, Linz (AT).

Based in Linz (AT), with an active working relation with institutions and associations from the region of Italy where he’s coming from, Friuli Venezia Giulia. (ANPI, Colonos, Far East Film Festival).

Alberto Boem
http://www.albertoboem.com
Interface Cultures – Kunstuniversitaet Linz
Austria

Alberto Boem is an artist and researcher working in the field of interface design and interactive art, with a broad range of interests from materiality to sound. His works have been exhibited in international venues and festivals (Ars Electronica Festival, Rome Film Festival, MNAC, IAMAS), and in different scientific conferences such as TEI and ICMC.
He is also a member of the Italian band Elettrofandango.

He is currently MA candidates at the Interface Culture Lab, University of Art and Design, Linz (AT).