Moritz Simon Geist is a performer, musicologist, and robotics engineer. His main focus is to invent the future of electronic music – with robots! His projects range from robotic music performances to robotic sound installations. His robotic instruments and performances have been shown inmanyEuropean festivals and exhibitions. He has also been awarded numerous international awards. From 2015-2020 Moritz taught the progression of technology and society at the NYU Berlin, Clives Davis Institute. Moritz lives and works in Dresden, Germany,wherehisworkshop-studio is located.
VIBRATIONS Prototype
VIBRATIONS Prototype
Fri. 18. 6. 20:30
Foto: Michel Klehm
Foto: Michel Klehm
Vibrations Rendering
© Moritz Simon Geist
Live Performance by Moritz Simon Geist (DE) with livestream to the 19th Media Art Biennale WRO 2021 REVERSO in Wroclaw, in cooperation with Silbersalz Science & Media Festival
The installation VIBRATIONS generates sine waves with physical robotic instruments. A generative composition algorithm (AI) creates contemplative spatial soundscapes, based on patterns derived from compositions of minimal music likethat ofTerry Riley or John Adam.
The sound of the instrument is generated by tuned aluminum bars. Controlled by a complex distributed robotic actuator system, the multifaceted sound ranges from spherical, sombrechords to glassy, highly concise melodies.
The sound in this work is not played by humans but by 36 small robotic actuators. The robotic actuators are triggered by a computer running an AI/ML algorithm forming three octaves (36 tones). The robot mechanics introduce slight variations in sound and rhythm creating an organic contrast to the calculated computer-generated sounds. The robots are nevertheless precise enough to play repetitive structures that no human could ever reproduce. This combination aims to create a new organic and mechanical form of sound: robotic electronic music.
Due to a global chip shortage as a side effect of the pandemic, the installation is currently a work in progress and will be presented as such.
This work was realised within the framework of the European Media Art Platforms (EMAP) programme at Ars Electronica (AT) with support of the Creative Europe Culture Programme of the European Union.
