alva_notoTwo groups called ‘raster-noton’ and “Derivative inc” have joined up to create an interesting AV experience for the club-scene resulting in some interesting techno-music/audio-visualization work.

this collaboration has resulted in performances that are nothing short of devastating as the td interface pulses 30 frames per second on a long stretch of screen behind alva noto punctuating the avantgarde artist’s every conjured move and expression in real time. audience response to the spectacle makes clear that this event is precedentsetting if not altogether mystifying.

It’s difficult to describe (and difficult to read thanks to the press release’s complete lack of capitalization), and much easier to explain through video.  Click after the break for a pair of videos and the full press release.


raster-noton + derivative

in 2008 raster-noton and derivative inc. have decided to join forces for a special
collaborative project, which focusses on the realization of the label artistsʼ visual
presentation during their audio-visual live shows on the basis of derivativeʼs
touchdesigner software. the alliance emerged in 2008 when under the guidance of
raster-noton label founders olaf bender (byetone) and carsten nicolai (alva noto), markus
heckmann put the infinite capabilities of touchdesigner to work in developing a
performative user interface for the artists.

to date, derivative has created and presented visualisations for the label artists snd
(mark fell and mat steel) and byetone as well as a special version of alva notoʼs live
piece ʻunitxtʼ for which the touch designer software according to alva notoʼs original ideas
and requirements has been reprogrammed. as a result it reveals and presents the
underlying compository structures of the original live-visualization that is based on the
visualization of data as represented through audio waveforms. the visuals are a literal
translation of sonic data boldly and graphically rendered through line, waves, and colour
that expand on the spectrum of audio-reactive visuals by explaining their creation
through touchdesigner’s uniquely designed user interface.

on september 07th, 2009, derivative’s markus heckmann will perform with alva noto at
ars electronica – festival for art, technology and society – in linz, austria, wielding
touchdesigner to execute the visual element of nicolai’s ʻunitxt (derivative version)ʼ. the
prestigious festival, which is also renowned for its coveted ʻprix ars electronicaʼ, awarded
to alva noto in 2000 and 2001, is part of the ars electronica organization founded in 1979
to “spotlight the emerging digital revolution”.

the ars electronica performance will be the fourth in a series of raster-noton/derivative
collaborations launched in january 2009 at club transmediale in berlin, germany and
followed by subsequent shows at mutek montréal, canada in may and sónar festival,
barcelona, spain in june with another slated for the icograda world design congress in
beijing, china in october.

this collaboration has resulted in performances that are nothing short of devastating as
the td interface pulses 30 frames per second on a long stretch of screen behind alva
noto punctuating the avantgarde artist’s every conjured move and expression in real
time. audience response to the spectacle makes clear that this event is precedentsetting
if not altogether mystifying.

dedicated to advancing the way we make art and visualize information and ideas,
derivative has produced live visuals and interactive art projects for a roster of
international superstars that include richie hawtin, prada, herzog & de meuron and rush.
they have also developed major theme park attractions globally.