Vibrations
Kinetic Sound-Art Installation - 2023
Background
“Since I started working in the field of robotic electronic music in 2012, I have reflected on the interplay between robots and humans, mostly in a closed environment of sound and music. I have created and played with many musical extensions - i.e. robots and tools that can extend my abilities to materialize my creative processes inside my human brain into the physical world.“
(Moritz Simon Geist)
Leitmotif of Moritz Simon Geists work is to create sound not with electronics, but with physical machines. Moritz’s research is based on the physics of sound, robotic devices and machine learning algorithms as artificial extensions to our creativity. Moritz is an musician and worked as an research robotic engineer. Since 2009 he has presented his work and art research at events like the Venice Biennale, the Ars Electronica, the Musee de Philharmonie Paris, the SXSW Austin, the Transmediale, and many more.
The kinetic sound installation "VIBRATIONS" reflects on the topic of spatiality and contemplation. In a three years long production process the German media artists Moritz Simon Geist created this robotic autonomous instrument which is based on the instrument ‘Vibraphone’, deconstructing the sound and the physical shape of the classic jazz instrument. The sound of the robot is generated by tuned aluminum bars, controlled by a complex, distributed robotic actuator system.
The sound is multifaceted, ranging from gloomy chords to high concise melodies. The compositions are influenced by composers like Terry Riley, John Adam, Steve Reich and Harry Partch.
During his EMAP residency at Ars Electronica, Moritz Simon Geist created compositions with a generative composition algorithm, which are then played by the installation both in a concert and in an installation surrounding.
None of the sounds in this instrument is played by humans, but by 36 small robotic actuators. The mechanics introduce slight variations in sound and rhythm, which are organic in contrast to calculated computer generated sounds. On the other hand, the robots are precise enough to play repetitive structures that no human could ever reproduce. This creates a new sound form (“robotic electronic music”) which is both organic and mechanical.
Foto credits: Armin Riedel
Credit: vog.photo, ARS ELECTRONICA 2021