SEAL×2 Connecting Spaces Compilation

Curator: Boris Shershenkov

Participants: Gaudenz Badrutt, Tobias Reber, Loic Grobety, Christian Kobi, Olga Kokcharova, Christian Muller, Ilia Belorukov, Daria Goffman, Grigory Kirgizov, Vlad Kononkov, Sergey Kostyrko, Dmitriy Krotewicz, Anastasia and Evgeny Lukuta, Marina Muzyka, Elena Romenkova, Alexander Serechenko & Ekaterina Pryanichnikova, Daria Smakhtina and others

“SEAL×2 Connecting Spaces” is the international compilation of collaborative spatial artworks made by Russian and Swiss experimental musicians and digital artists. The compilation focuses on the connections between spatial music and art scenes of Russia and Switzerland and represents artist activities in times of the pandemic restrictions and social distancing such as online duos, spatial reworks of studio collaborations, virtual re-enactments of multichannel pieces, digital sound installations, art&science projects and many more. To reduce the dependence on the constantly changing software the spaces released within this compilation also will be saved on the offline microcomputer platforms in the spatial works archive. The compilation is the part of the Pro Helvetia FastForwART program for supporting the new formats of cultural exchange.

Supplanting

Gray cake, Sleep and Cognition Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of Geneva

Aug 8, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

Supplanting

“Supplanting” is the audiovisual space created by “Gray cake” art duo as part of the artistic research of the works by Sleep and Cognition Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of Geneva UNIGE. Starting from the concept of human consciousness, artists ask a question about the existence of an "algorithmic unconscious". The project is based on an extensive database of human dreams written in text. The human experience of dreaming and repressed material is used to train a GPT-2 neural network algorithm, making it generating new poetic forms. Text from the machine unconscious symbolizes a call, a signal from the essence of a different order. The ability to search for and stop at the points where the voice becomes audible transports the viewer's physical body into the space of voices whispering dream stories. This space becomes a special form of life, real, but in a different dimension.

Gray cake

Russia

“Gray cake” is collaborative project of Alexander Serechenko and Ekaterina Pryanichnikova. Ekaterina graduated from the Rodchenko Art School. Works with experimental manual photo printing, video, photography, installation. Alexander is MEPhI graduated programmer, also musician and artist focused on interactive environments and generative practices. Both have Master’s degrees in Digital Art. As an art-duo they explore the paradigm of new media, combining traditional artistic techniques and new technologies. Winners/laureates of Pixel Fest, Audi Born Digital, Re:store Digital Earth, EOFA.

https://graycake.com/ru/

Sleep and Cognition Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of Geneva

Switzerland

Sleep and Cognition Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of Geneva UNIGE is researching the neural mechanisms underlying experience-dependent changes in the human brain and models of learning and neural plasticity in various brain-states, such as those occurring during sleep. Laboratory study brain functions at the macroscopic systems level and investigate dream reports because dreams provide important information about brain and mind functions during sleep.

https://www.unige.ch/medecine/neuf/en/research/grecherche/sophie-schwartz/

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

Worming II Remix / Shrine of Solar Exhaustion

Tobias Reber, Grigorii Kirgizov

Jul 26, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

Worming II Remix / Shrine of Solar Exhaustion

Audiovisual space designed by Swiss composer Tobias Reber and media artist Grigorii Kirgizov. The audio part of the piece is the multi-channel installation “Worming II Remix” in support of Tobias's recently released third solo album “Mother of Millions”. The name refers to his 80-channel installation “Ending II Remix”, created in 2017 for Pakt Bern flash! (back and forward). The architecture of Grigorii's space "The Temple of Solar Exhaustion" was created using parametric modeling methods and follows the hexagonal structure of the virtual multichannel framework. «Many of us are subconsciously trying to escape the sensed exhaustion of solar harmonies. We're hacking technological vessels of their light, redirecting them into the dark and unordered, to descent into the noise residing between known structures. This is the shrine to that kind of movement, harboring drone of sub-solar shine. There, in the depths of our perception, crystallizes the new aeon». G. Kirgizov

Tobias Reber

Switzerland

Tobias Reber is a musician, composer and educator employing a wide range of highly creative compositional approaches, drawing from contemporary classical and electronic music, algorithmic composition, free improvisation and rock sensibilities. He has released, performed, and exhibited under his own name, with centrozoon, Blast Unicorn, pulp.noir and many others. As an educator, Tobias is teaching a weekly online class on algorithmic composition, making his techniques and approaches available to group of artists from 17+ countries. He has taught extensively at art universities, festivals, public schools and for educational initiatives. Since 2018 Tobias is in charge of the educational track at Musikfestival Bern.

http://www.tobiasreber.com/

Grigorii Kirgizov

Russia

Grigorii Kirgizov is artist, curator, programmer, with primary interest in constructing immersive experiences. Born in 1996 in Salekhard. Received BSc from Math & Mechanics department of SPbU. Received MSc from Art&Science program in ITMO University. Co-curator of the project "Grounding" (http://groundingwith.space). Participant of exhibitions "Ars Electronica: Pangardenia", “Voices of Technobiocenoses”, “Optomycelium” in St.Petersburg.

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

22 Degree Halo

Olga Kokcharova, Vlad Kononkov

Jul 11, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

22 Degree Halo

“22° HLØ” is a quadraphonic piece composed by sound artist Olga Koksharova using original sound recordings of Buchla 200e, Buchla Music Easel and Roland System 100 modular synthesizers. Simple and raw materials, often played out of sync, create psychoacoustic illusions of movement even when there is no real displacement in space. The composition, as well as the sound space built by media artist Vlad Kononkov, is inspired by the optical phenomenon 22° halo (Moon Ring) which forms as direct moonlight is refracted in millions of hexagonal ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.

Olga Kokcharova

Switzerland

Olga Kokcharova, born in Siberia and currently based in Geneva, is an artist, musician and landscape architect. She is interested in everything that is audible, regardless of the medium. She works with analog modular synthesizers, prepared instruments and field recordings, favoring careful recording, but also experimenting in circumstances where recording equipment is put to the test. These sources are then used for compositions, soundtracks, multi-channel electroacoustic improvisations or sound installations in public spaces.

http://kokcharova.zov308.org/

Vlad Kononkov

Russia

Vlad Kononkov is a media artist based in Vladivostok. In his artistic practice, he works on group and personal projects in the field of technological art, media art and sound art. In his artistic practice, he works on group and individual projects in the field of technological art, media art and sound art. Currently, he is engaged in interdisciplinary research on interspecies communication between biological and technological agents.

https://www.vladkononkov.com/

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

Zweiton / Earthly Delights

Christian Kobi, Boris Shershenkov, Dmitriy Krotewicz

Jun 27, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

Zweiton / Earthly Delights

"Zweiton" is a multi-channel improvisational piece for saxophone and electronics. It was recorded by Christian Coby and Boris Shershenkov in Bern, Switzerland as part of studio sessions during a COVID lockdown. Each of the musicians is limited to two basic sound frequencies. All interaction is built around them using panning, electronic timbre transformations and extended techniques on the acoustic instrument. The reductionist character of the piece is manifested in the virtual space “Earthly Delights”, created by the artist and musician Dmitriy Krotewicz. Using digital lighting effects, Dmitriy created a minimalistic labyrinthine space filled with elusive objects. Visitors can see these objects from afar, but cannot examine them when approaching. Sound objects appear as visitors move through space and become a kind of beacons in this labyrinth leading to its center where visual and sound pieces amalgamate.

Christian Kobi

Switzerland

Christian Kobi is a Swiss musician and composer. His work explores the relationship between sound, silence and action in space. He studied music in Basel, Paris and Zuerich, with a concentration in experimental music and improvisation. Kobi performs and creates with various musicians, composers and artists in context of long term partnerships with artists such as Phill Niblock, Jürg Frey, Taku Sugimoto and Keith Rowe. Since 2004 he curates the „zoom in“ festival for improvised music at the Minster of Bern. Christian Kobi teaches improvisation at the Bern University of Arts (HKB).

http://www.christiankobi.ch/

Boris Shershenkov

Russia

Boris Shershenkov - sound artist, PhD and musical instrument designer. Focusing on projects that develop new methodologies in technological and sound art, he investigates the relationship between human and technology combining modern techniques with media archaeological research. Boris is engaged in various activities in the field of experimental music and sound art as the author of numerous media installations and sound performances and curator of concert programs, exhibitions and educational projects. As a musician, he is actively working in the areas of live electronics and electroacoustic improvisation, both solo and in collaboration with Russian and foreign musicians.

https://shershenkov.com/

Dmitriy Krotewicz

Russia

Dmitriy Krotewicz – digital artist and musician from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Having the rich background in contemporary jazz, improvisation and experimental music playing the turntables, electronics, trombone and saxophone in numerous groups and collaborations, in recent years Dmitry switched to creation of complex visual images and compositions with various 3D modelling software.

https://www.instagram.com/nongrat0/

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

Polymorphic Structures

Christian Müller, Sergey Kostyrko, Elena Romenkova

Jun 14, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

Polymorphic Structures

The sound material was recorded by Christian Müller and Sergey Kostyrko during studio recording session held in St. Petersburg in October 2019. Later, it was arranged as octophonic piece using sound spatialization algorithms. This technique allowed to adopt the sound piece to the 3D space designed by Elena Romenkova which resulted in the collaborative work called «Polymorphic structures». «Everything has a structure - from the cell to the universe. The same components in different combinations create different shapes. This space represents structures that are in various combinations, or in the process of creating a new structure. Micro-macro world. Structures are always in the process of development; they strive to create the most optimal combination. And this movement has its own sound». – Elena Romenkova.

Christian Müller

Switzerland

Christian Müller is clarinetist and electronic-musician with a strong love for experimental noise, transdisciplinary collaborations and being en route. He completed his classical studies at the Conservatory for Music & Theater in Berne and works since then as improvising electronic-musician, electro-acoustic bass-clarinetist and composer with a conceptual approach. His major and long term projects are the electronic duo Strøm with Gaudenz Badrutt, the experimental rock band Convulsif and the stories & sound duo Butterland with the writer Regina Dürig. Christian composed the music for more than 35 theater pieces and dance performances, he works regularly with the director Barbara-David Brüesch and the Vienna based mexican-swiss dance and performance company Nadaproductions.

https://www.christianmueller.me/

Sergey Kostyrko

Russia

Sergey Kostyrko is an associate professor at the St. Petersburg State University. His scientific interests include the different aspects of thin film mechanics. Since 2018, he is a member of the Global Young Academy that aims to bring together young scientists from all over the world for solving problems required interdisciplinary expertise. In recent years, Sergey is also active as a sound artist focusing on science and art collaborations and musician working in the field of improvisational and noise music.

Elena Romenkova

Russia

Elena Romenkova is an artist from St. Petersburg, Russia. She graduated from The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia with a faculty of Fine Arts. After getting a classical art education she continued to develop in the field of 3D digital art and glitch art. She creates surrealistic compositions with modified human bodies. These transformations give to the 3D sculptures a new aesthetic meaning.

https://leromash.tumblr.com/

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

The Pact of Digital Naturalness

Loïc Grobéty, Boris Shershenkov, Marina Muzyka, Daria Goffman

May 30, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

The Pact of Digital Naturalness

“The Pact of Digital Naturalness” is a conceptual project by Marina Muzyka, Daria Goffman, Loïc Grobéty and Boris Shershenkov, exploring the term “digital naturalness”. The project is based on the Black Ecologies* concept, that aims to analyze “a new nature” as a framework of the environment as a whole. “Digital naturalness” exploring space as a data collection that is capable of constructing a sensory experience, and raises the question “What is natural and what is artificial in the digital environment?”. In virtual world the familiar environment, which we usually refer as “nature”, is the product of artificial processes of space re-creation, modification and perception. The rules of interaction with this space are formed at the same moment when the data forms a set of categories of existence for the space itself. Agreeing with these changing rules, the virtual scene of “The Pact of Digital Naturalness” grows out of sounds and becomes a narrative about the experience of perceiving the scenes we are already familiar with. In a digital-natural environment abstract electronic noises and synthesized sounds of the multichannel audiopiece turn into “plant” and “animal” voices of the digital world natural soundscape. The interconnections between audial and visual create an allusion to the coexistence of various lifeforms and inorganic environment in natural ecosystems. *Iaac Bits 9: Black Ecologies

Loïc Grobéty

Switzerland

Loïc Grobéty is an international musician, bassist, composer and producer. He has been touring with his bands and projects for 10 years in countries such as Nepal, Cuba, Europe, China, Vietnam and Russia. For 25 years, he has been playing on the underground scene and has recorded 20 sound productions and more than 1000 concerts. The region is not to be outdone as he has been the director/curator for 10 years of the festival Hors Normes & Jazz en Rade. These two events are very important for the Swiss and international scene.

https://www.loicgrobety.ch/

Boris Shershenkov

Russia

https://shershenkov.com/

Marina Muzyka

Russia

Marina Muzyka is an interdisciplinary artist, interactive space architect and researcher. She works in technology and media arts. In her professional and artistic practice, Marina explores the topic of human-space interaction, within the framework of which she combines an interest in scientific research in the field of cognitive science, philosophy and architecture. Marina is a member of the artistic initiative –Digitocene.Net, a graduate of the master's program “–Da. Digital Art ”FEFU, as well as a member of the international research program CODE Art Research Program.

http://marinamuzyka.art.tilda.ws/

Daria Goffman

Russia

Daria Goffman is an interdisciplinary artist working with analog and digital art instruments. She is engaged in group and individual projects in the field of public art, technological art, media art and street art. She also works with video, photography and installation.

http://gogoffman.art/

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

Moscow Study / Dissolution

Christian Müller, Daria Smakhtina

May 16, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

Moscow Study / Dissolution

"Moscow Study / Dissolution" is an eight channel piece which is based on Christian Müller's multichannel piece «The Other», performed live at Stanislavsky Electrotheatre in Moscow in 2019, and the 3D-scan of the Electrotheatre space rethought by Daria Smakhtina. "Moscow Study / Dissolution" keeps the original setting of four speakers in a horizontal plane around the audience and four speakers in a wall-like, vertical plane on the audience's back side. While the two planes are in dialogue with each other, the quadro systems were conceptualized independently of each other. The musical material for the piece was played live in improvisations with small analog synthesizers, reprocessed and constantly resampled. These processes are reflected in the space architecture and design.

Christian Müller

Switzerland

https://www.christianmueller.me/

Daria Smakhtina

Russia

Daria Smakhtina is an interdisciplinary artist and an architect with a wide experience in architectural design. Area of her interest lies on the interplay of physical and virtual realities. As a co-founder of ἐphemera ONE studio she is experimenting with non-physical spaces while searching for new forms of cross-species communication and environments that they can inhabit.

https://ephemera.one/

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

Edges in the Middle of Nowhere

Gaudenz Badrutt, Ilia Belorukov, Anastasia Lukuta, Evgeny Lukuta, Marina Muzyka

May 2, 2021

About the space Go to the space Instruction

Edges in the Middle of Nowhere

Quadrophonic piece "Edges in the Middle of Nowhere" is result of a long distance collaboration between Gaudenz Badrutt and Ilia Belorukov in the Covid-time. The virtual space for the piece that determines the configuration of the sound material distribution was built by the artists Anastasia and Evgeny Lukuta and Marina Muzyka. It is based on their own interpretation of abstract sound images.

Gaudenz Badrutt, Ilia Belorukov

Switzerland, Russia

Gaudenz Badrutt (CH) and Ilia Belorukov (RU) have been working together since 2013 in different contexts (mostly with Jonas Kocher and Alexander Markvart and as a duo). They developed a characteristic musical language in their duo between ambient, free improvisation, noise and environmental sounds. They use acoustic instruments and/or electronic devices. Some of the main topics of their work is improvisation as context for producing the sounds and environment as part of a member of the collective's music.

http://www.gaudenzbadrutt.ch/

http://belorukov.blogspot.com/

Anastasia Lukuta

Russia

Anastasia and Eugeny Lukuta are transdisciplinary artists, designers, and are members of the artistic initiative –Digitocene.Net, Masters in Digital Arts. Anastasia Lukuta, in her artistic practice, explores the topic of communication and addresses such topics as: memory, data, identity and time. She works at the intersection of science and art, studies the following types of communication: person-person, person-environment, person-technology. Her artistic interests include studying the role of language in communication processes, as well as analyzing the possibility of non-verbal communication.

Evgeny Lukuta

Russia

Evgeny Lukuta explores the interaction and dichotomy of the virtual and real environment, intelligent technologies, synthetic recognition, data-driven urbanism. He is currently interested in distributed and spatial computing and its social implications. His area of interest is also moving towards inclusive communication technologies.

https://www.lukuta.art/

Marina Muzyka

Russia

http://marinamuzyka.art.tilda.ws/

1. For a better experience with the SEAL.x2 artworks please use the Mozilla Firefox browser. To start the listening press "Go to the space" button. 2. Wait for initialization and loading of space. It may take 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for mobile devices. If you don't see the loading screen, try to refresh the page. 3. After the loading press “Join Room” if you are logging in from a computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use the VR headset, press “Enter On Device”. 4. Enter the name that will be displayed to other listeners and press “Accept”. 5. Check your audio device settings: microphone for communication with other listeners and playback device for listening. Then press “Enter Room”. 6. Use the keys W-S-A-D to move in space in forward-backward-left-right directions. Use Q and E keys or the left mouse button to rotate. On mobile devices pinch with two fingers to move. 7. Within the spaces you can find objects that will change the way you look for other listeners. To do this point to the object and press the button "use avatar" 8. Listen!

SEAL×2 Connecting Spaces Compilation