AREAL © Granular-Synthesis
AREAL was originally a improvisational show, a surround environment featuring a multi screen projection, a spatial sound set-up and substantial sub-bass. Since its first version in 1997 AREAL hosts almost totally different shows rather than one composition in updated versions.
AREAL has been featuring various audiovisual material, both figurative and abstract.
In its first version AREAL was based on Granular-Synthesis experiences with X-tended Thrill, a collaboration with Sensorband at the ICC, Tokyo in 1997 and led to AREAL A at the Steirischer Herbst Festival in 1997 and to AREAL-V at the Vergessen Festival (both in Austria). At this time AREAL was featuring images and sounds of a human torso instead of a human head, material which was originally recorded and edited for another collaborative project called We want God Now. (This raw-material was later also used in their productions SINKEN and FORM ).
In the later versions, the images were transformed in various zoom and focus/ un- focus states, creating a more abstract and dynamic setting. The set-up included multiple stroboscopes to enhance the flicker quality of the video.
In the shows presented at the Musiques en Scènes festival, Lyons, France and at the Elektra Festival, Montreal, both in 2000, abstract material replaced all but a tiny section of figurative video material. The stroboscopic effect, thanks to more powerful video projectors, comes exclusively from the video screens.
One of the most recent versions of this chameleon piece was presented for the first time at the Exit Festival in Créteil in April 2004, within a sequel of abstract installations and shows such as LUX (2003), <360> (2002/2003), MINUS (2002), RESET (2001) and FELD (2000).
AREAL by Granular-Synthesis (Kurt Hentschläger & Ulf Langheinrich)
Curator: Reinhard Braun
Torso originally performed by: Michael Ashcroft
Software Development VARP9: Dirk Langheinrich
Production Assistant: Cai Mosich
Special thanks to Christine Frisinghelli and SENSORBAND (Edwin van der Heide, Zbiegniew Karkovski, Atau Tanaka)