Sirens by Ryoichi Kurokawa and Novi_sad and Approximate Accuracy w/ Pierce Warnecke and Frank Bretschneider at Spektrum Berlin / Saturday, 14.10.2017

Ryoichi Kurokawa & Novi_sad collaborate to create Sirens, an impressive body of work comprising five audiovisual pieces which explore the aesthetics of data. Sirens is a collection of digitally rendered visual formations and sound compositions, whose intensity fluctuates as in relation to the unfolding of the economic downturn. Tied to the fate of the global markets, the more the economy fails (as represented by data and, indexes); the more developed and complex the coupled sounds and visual sequences become. Any disintegration of financial fortunes leads directly to the emergence of a greater creative energy in an inverse ‘tug-of-war’.

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Sirens elucidates the relationship between generative visualisation and cinematic practices, as this computer generated video work transforms our understanding of the relationship between moving image, data and the cinematic. By immersing the spectator in an audiovisual scape and narrative, the work heightens the performativity of processes, be they ‘technological’ or ‘natural’. The title of the work is inspired by the Greek mythological creatures that seduce sailors ashore into danger, as a metaphor for market fervour leading to economic collapse.

Approximate Accuracy is a hybrid audio-visual performance which borrows from modular audio and video synthesis techniques, adapting them with contemporary digital tools. The audio uses custom Nord Modular patches manipulated live; the imagery is based on digital emulations of modular video synthesis fed into 3D software and tightly synchronized to the experimental electronic music. Realtime interaction between sound and video creates overlapping layers of dynamic patterns resulting in complex synesthetic moirés. The open system allows for improvisation while at the same time staying close to the aesthetics of sound and video synthesis, and as such is an immersive performance that explores that many possible mutations of simple pattern-based systems. Approximate Accuracy is a homage to the masterpieces of early electronic music and video synthesis, combining them with modern approaches of audiovisual performance as a continuation of the visual music tradition.

Frank Bretschneider is a musician, composer and video artist known for his precise sound placement, complex, interwoven rhythm structures and minimal, flowing approach. Described as ”abstract analogue pointilism”, “ambience for spaceports” or “hypnotic echochamber pulsebeat”, his subtle and detailed music is echoed by his visuals: perfect translated realizations of the qualities found in music within visual phenomena. Bretschneider has released his work (in addition to raster noton) on various labels including 12k, Line, Mille Plateaux or Shitkatapult. He is releasing his music and performing at music/new media festivals worldwide. Pierce Warnecke is a sound and video artist from the US, based in Europe for over a decade. He works equally in the sonic and visual domains via performances, installations and compositions. He is currently a professor at Berklee College of Music in Spain. He has presented his works in many international festivals and spaces, such as Mutek, KW Institut Berlin, CTM Festival Berlin, Elektra, NEMO, Scopitone, Zero1 Biennale, Transmediale, and more. He releases music on Portals Editions and Room40. He is represented by CTM’s DISK Agency in Berlin.

Pierce Warnecke is sound and video artist from the US, based in Europe for over a decade. He works equally in the sonic and visual domains via performances, installations and compositions. He is currently a professor at Berklee College of Music in Spain. He has presented his works in many international festivals and spaces, such as Mutek, KW Institut Berlin, CTM Festival Berlin, Elektra, NEMO, Scopitone, Zero1 Biennale, Transmediale, and more. He releases music on Portals Editions and Room40. He is represented by CTM’s DISK Agency in Berlin.