Malte Steiner, Wolfgang Spahn

A media performance by Malte Steiner and Wolfgang Spahn, 2014

Industrial noise and digital sound processing meets multi space projections: “Embedded Artist” is a media performance by Malte Steiner and Wolfgang Spahn.

The performance combines four different layers of visions that are merging into one visual Gesamtkunstwerk: 3D models, video scratching, live camera, and mechanical effects are likewise projected within the space.

The 3D models are animated in Open GL, whereas video scratching and live cameras run on each Raspberry Pi. Mechanical and optical effects such as fragmented projections are generated by servos and glass prisms.

“Embedded Artist” is not only projecting all over the walls, but it is filming the audience and the space likewise and re-projecting those images. Moreover, the light beam of each projector is fractionized by a prism and therefore sends broken images onto the walls. Thus the combined effects of all four layers allow for the linking together of performance and space. In doing so the performance is blurring distinctions between artist and audience, body and mind, artwork and space.

On the level of sound the industrial noise as well as the digital sound processing are creating structure and patterns that are strongly related to the visuals. The contradiction between noise-based materials and electronic generated music creates a bond of resonance between musical sound and non-musical sound. In providing the rhythm of the performance the sound adds a fifth dimension, namely temporality.

For the performance both artists developed a system for multiple embedded systems. To achieve this the following software and programs are used: Pure Data, Raspberry Pi, Raspian, and Python. As hardware components several Raspberry Pi’s were combined with Paper-Duino-Pi’s.

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WEB_Steiner3 Steiner

Bio

Malte Steiner
http://www.block4.com
Block 4
Germany

born 1970 in Germany, living in Berlin. Programming computers, creating visual arts and electronic music since the early 80s, first exhibition in 1982, first concert 1986. Working as freelance sound designer, media artist and software developer, giving lectures and workshop, mainly about working with free open source software like Pure Data, Csound and Blender. Running several music projects like Notstandskomitee and Elektronengehirn. Collaboration with Servando Barreiro as Restlichtverstärker.

Involved in several open source projects like his Linux softwaresynthesizer ‘Minicomputer’ and the OSC middleware ‘contrOSC’.

One of the latest installations is created while being artist in Residency in Chile 2011 in Open City (La Ciudad Abierta) Of Ritoque, creating the installation Impossible City with PD, shown in Chile, Norway and Germany.

Created 2012 one of the first interactive artpieces with electronic paper.

Wolfgang Spahn
http://wolfgang-spahn.de
Austria

Wolfgang Spahn is a visual artist based in Berlin. His work includes interactive installations, videos, projections, and miniature-slide-paintings. He studied mathematics and sociology in Regensburg and Berlin. He currently teaches at Medienwerkstatt BBK Berlin, and is associated lecturer at the University of Oldenburg, Institute of Art and Visual Culture.

International exhibitions (selection): 2000 Biennial of young Art in Genua, Italy, 2003 The Kosovo Art Gallery in Pristina, Kosovo, 2005 Biennial in Prague, Czech Republic, 2008 and 2009 Internationales Klangkunstfest in Berlin, 2009 The Art of the Overhead in Malmö, Sweden, PIXEL09 and 13 in Bergen, Norway, 2010 Biennial Of Miniature Art in Serbia, 2010 Media-Scape in Zagreb, Croatia, Transmediale 2012 and 2014, Berlin.