WM_EX10 ... series

2014/15 - ongoing - audio/video noise performance

 

The series WM_EX10 … is an ongoing, constantly evolving performance project that is altered by adding devices whilst maintaining the basic structure. It involves a purely analogue approach and makes use of short-circuits.

All the sounds generated resulted from short-circuits caused by moist fingers on the circuit boards of used devices. The resistance of the skin, the electrode gel and the conductance of the human body cause short-circuits that generate and alter the outputted sound and noise of the devices like Walkmans and Bontempi keyboards. These intentionally caused malfunctions are used to allow the involved devices to influence each other, as circuits are closed and current flows through the artists body from one device to another. The short-circuits amplified as audio signals are made audible via loudspeakers. The same audio signal is sent directly to the analogue video input of cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors, which then visually display the signal. The monitors are placed in variable numbers, forms, sizes and combinations on the stage. Furthermore, the signal is sent by video mixer or Time Base Corrector (TBC) to a video projector, which is positioned in the audience area and projects on to the stage and the wall or screen behind the stage.

Noise is the main component of this performance. Electrical voltage and frequency are transformed from their non-audible and non-visible states into audible and visible media and thus made perceptible to the audience. The visualisation is a very direct process from the analogue, electronic signal to an image in real time, so there is no disturbing delay between the sound and the video. This results in a rhythmic interplay between black and white, abstract lines, silence and disturbing noises.

Old and outdated devices are given new value and a new function, which was not originally intended by the inventors and producers of these devices.

In this performance unexpected and uncontrollable analogue signals are altered and bent to an audio-video noisescape. The interaction with the devices is not based on scores or presets and is therefore improvised, but it builds up following a rough structure. There is no additional computer, nor are extensive audio programs or other effect making devices needed to create the sound.

From this basic approach and set-up of the noise performance, several pieces have evolved with different combinations of devices with titles like: WM_EX10 WM_A28 TCM_200DV BK26, MRS49 WM_EX10 WM_A28 BK26, 징 WM_A28 TCM_200DV BK26, MRS49 WM-4 KC-300G RM825 [ORGAN] or TCM-200DV TP-VS500 TCM-200DV MS-201, ...

 

 

Idea, Concept and Realisation: Stefan Tiefengraber

Thanks to: Michael Tiefengraber, Gregor Göttfert, Andreas Jina, Mario Peschina;

 

WM_EX10 ...

Div. performances