Hybrid Autoharp is an ongoing multimedia project that combines the autoharp (acoustic instrument) with digital media. Analogue and digital enter into a symbiosis and give rise to new sonic elements. In the process, the analogue audio signals are distorted and manipulated by software. By experimenting with different programs I’m developing a combined (hybrid) interface that unfolds acoustic sounds into a new audiovisual discourse. The sounds simultaneously form the basis for a visual transformation in the form of one or more video projections each thematically defined but fundamentally addressing the fragility of our environment and nature. A narrative layer emerges from the improvisation and reaction between image and sound. For example, a road trip through Iceland becomes a mysterious quest that blurs the outer and inner boundaries of perception. The project is presented by me as a live performance. The performance lasts between 10 and 20 minutes.
Maike Zimmermann
In 2011/2012 I was artist in residence at no.w.here (now: Not/no.w.here) an artist film space in London and have been commissioned by the Victoria & Albert Museum for numerous video and photography projects and teaching workshops on sound and moving image (in collaboration with Jason Singh). I have been a recipient of the Grant for the Arts (Arts Council England) and the Promos Travel bursary (DAAD) in 2013. I have also been part of the artist in residency program at Art Base, Helgeland with ZK/U, Zentrum für Kunst und Urbanistik, Berlin, 2014. In 2015 I received the International Development Fund from the Arts Council England/British Council for an artist residency in New York (Harvestworks and Outpost Artist Resources). For the project [city]Frequency I have received a grant from the Arts Council England in 2017. My curatorial work includes ‘an evening of audiovisual performance art’ at the Horse Hospital, London including performances by Matthias Kispert (D-Fuse), Blanca Regina and Iris Garrelfs. [city]Frequency was successfully shown as a solo exhibition at A.P.T Gallery, London, UK (March/April 2018) and in the special section ‘videoart’ at the 4th Filmfest Bremen, Germany (September 2018). Hybrid Autoharp will be presented at this year’s 48 Stunden Neukoelln in Berlin in June.