arc editor to judge World Masters of Projection Mapping
(Netherlands) – arc editor Paul James part of judging panel for first World Masters of Projection Mapping competition as perfect union of creativity and technology illuminates Amsterdam.
International video artists are involved in a three-week display of 3D projections onto the EYE Filmmuseum façade as part of Amsterdam Light Festival. The shape of the multi-faceted museum, with no straight surfaces and the close proximity of water from the IJ, created a unique set of technical and productional challenges for the artists. To make projection possible, eleven beamers have been positioned all around the building. The World Masters of Projection Mapping is a joint venture initiative from Amsterdam Light Festival, event organiser Integrated Systems Events (ISE) and RAI Amsterdam. Until 9th February the artworks of the participating artists will be showcased daily from 7-8:30am and 6-11pm on the EYE Filmmuseum.
The Finalists
• Geert Mul – For over 25 years Mul has been exploring the possibilities of poetry in the language of new (data-based) media. Mul’s practice engages the broader public through audio visual performances and commissioned artworks in public spaces. His installations have been showcased in numerous museums for modern art including the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. (https://geertmul.nl)
• Telcosystems (Gideon Kiers, David Kiers, and Lucas van der Velden) – Gideon, David and Lucas research the relationship between the behaviour of programmed numerical logic and the human perception of this behaviour. This leads to the creation of immersive audio visual installations which are shown through various media and live performances. Their work has been featured in museums and festivals such as Ars Electronica, International Film Festival Rotterdam and the Holland Festival. (http://telecosystems.net)
• Alida Dors and Manuel Rodriques – Alida Dors is the artistic director of dance company BackBone. BackBone uses dance to address societal issues and to bring different groups together. Manuel Rodrigues is a graphic designer and film artist. He treats and manipulates elements from the visual world as dances, in which image and sound become inextricably linked. (www.backboneconnects.nl and http://deepred.tv)
• Florian and Michael Quistrebert – This duo creates ‘optical canvasses’ and videos showing angular patterns in which symmetry and reflections are recurring themes. Using a variety of materials and techniques they seek to reinvent modernism, futurism, and optical art. (http://quistrebert.com)
• Eder Santos – Santos – a pioneer of multimedia art in Brazil – is recognized worldwide for developing hybrid projects that mix visual arts, cinema, theater, video, and new media. His works belong to the permanent collections of the MoMA in New York and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, two of the largest contemporary art museums in the world. (https://www.edersantos.com.br)
The Jury
The selection of the finalists was carried out through close collaboration between the EYE Filmmuseum and Amsterdam Light Festival. The international jury who will judge the finalists on 8 February comprises: Lennart Booij, Artistic Director of Amsterdam Light Festival (Jury Chair), Jaap Guldemond, Director of Exhibitions EYE Filmmuseum, Marente Bloemheuvel, Associate Curator of EYE Filmmuseum, Jozef Hey, Founder and Owner of BeamSystems, Giny Vos, artist, Paul James, Editor in Chief of arc magazine, and Hartmut Kulessa, Panasonic Europe. Central to the criteria for the jury will be how the finalists combine their creativity and storytelling with the utilisation of technology to deliver their vision.
Lennart Booij, Artistic Director of Amsterdam Light Festival, commented: “The quality of the entries is high and the jury is enthusiastic about the final selection of national and international artists. These conceptual and cinematographic works enable us to deepen the scope and the artistic quality of projection mapping.”
Mike Blackman, ISE’s Managing Director, commented: “This project has now come to life in spectacular fashion. The results can be seen each day in Amsterdam. The competition showcases the perfect marriage of technology and creativity. It involves leading artists, manufacturers and solution providers – everything that Integrated Systems Events represents.”
Paul Riemens, CEO RAI Amsterdam, commented: “Connecting people, ideas, and visions at RAI Amsterdam creates quality and added value for ISE, her exhibitors and visitors. By supporting communities and our partners around events we generate a platform, also in the city. We look forward to bring this competition to the people of Amsterdam.”
Technical partners are: Panasonic (projectors), Disguise (media servers), Alcons Audio (audio), and Lightware (transmission). Creative partners are BeamSystems (installation and integration) and EYE Filmmuseum.
The video displays are accompanied by audio through radio frequency FM88.4 and on 8th and 9th February through audio sets on the quaysides near EYE.
