STROM (2021)
Audiovisual Live Performance. 360 Dome Projection, Surround Sound.
STROM is part of Kurt Hentschläger's body of generative 3D animation and sound work, beginning with KARMA in 2004-2008, and continuing with CLUSTER, HIVE and CORE in 2009-2012.
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Featuring humanoid bodies inside of a zero-gravity void, STROM depicts figures in relentless motion and interaction with one other. Seemingly trapped and surveyed by a virtual camera, in the weightless choreography of STROM, these virtual protagonists resemble anonymous particles: a pulsing, amorphous mass, a cloud of blurry matter composed of body parts and light. The work fluctuates between realism and abstraction. Its kinetic gestalt evokes the motion patterns of animals trapped in their cages, looping back and forth, in endless circles, limited by their confines.
In STROM, the personal control of one’s destiny is replaced by outside powers: shifting tidal forces that are impossible to evade or to escape.
Sonically, the work draws both from repetitive algorithmic patterns, as well as from organically sounding forms. Most of the sound is generated by the humanoid figures, including the swarm’s motions and other behavior. Each 3D character acts as one voice in an abstract choir, together rendering a pulsing, endlessly transforming drone soundscape.
The work premiered at the Zeiss Planetarium in Bochum, Germany in 2021.
Screenshots © Kurt Hentschläger
Audiovisual Live Performance. 360 Dome Projection, Surround Sound.
STROM is part of Kurt Hentschläger's body of generative 3D animation and sound work, beginning with KARMA in 2004-2008, and continuing with CLUSTER, HIVE and CORE in 2009-2012.
Featuring humanoid bodies inside of a zero-gravity void, STROM depicts figures in relentless motion and interaction with one other. Seemingly trapped and surveyed by a virtual camera, in the weightless choreography of STROM, these virtual protagonists resemble anonymous particles: a pulsing, amorphous mass, a cloud of blurry matter composed of body parts and light. The work fluctuates between realism and abstraction. Its kinetic gestalt evokes the motion patterns of animals trapped in their cages, looping back and forth, in endless circles, limited by their confines.
In STROM, the personal control of one’s destiny is replaced by outside powers: shifting tidal forces that are impossible to evade or to escape.
Sonically, the work draws both from repetitive algorithmic patterns, as well as from organically sounding forms. Most of the sound is generated by the humanoid figures, including the swarm’s motions and other behavior. Each 3D character acts as one voice in an abstract choir, together rendering a pulsing, endlessly transforming drone soundscape.
The work premiered at the Zeiss Planetarium in Bochum, Germany in 2021.
Screenshots © Kurt Hentschläger
Production Credits
© Kurt Hentschläger 2021
Ogre/Bullet & Max Msp Programming - Rob Ramirez
Ableton Live & Max for Live Programming - Ian Brill
Management and Representation: Epidemic / Richard Castelli
Thanks to Florence Berthaud, Jason Fletcher, Pierre Laly, Shane Mecklenburger, Tobias Staab.
Still Images © Kurt Hentschläger
