BJÖRN SCHUELKE

Duitsland 1967

VISION IN MOTION - MOTION IN VISION >
Tentoonstelling met bewegende kunst
14 juni 2008 - 16 november 2008

Bjoern Schuelke's Observer #2, a giant three-legged robot-like menacing structure, dominates the space it occupies. It seems to sense the spectators presence and starts observing: moving around its own axis, switching on its flashing lights, reviewing the images shot during its 360° pans.

At once simple in its propellor-induced speed and complex in its registration of sound and image, its apparently observational functions give rise to an uncanny feeling with elements of paranoia and apprehension. But it is foremost an artful relative of the robots: one who combines strict technological functionalism with creative playfulness.

Text: Hanjo Scharfenberg

Machines of Deception

The phenomenon of eye-deception when watching a film accompanies us throughout the film history until today. However, with the ever improving quality we forget completely the actual deception of the eye, although this is the key to watching a movie opening the door to the illusion of a staged reality.

Nervous
Interactive audiokinetic object
Bjoern Schuelke 1999/2003

Materials:
Theremin, amplifier, servomotor, loudspeaker, plush, wood, styrofoam.

The interactive audio-kinetic object Nervous is a bright, orange and fluffy hemisphere.

When approached, it become nervous, start to beep and move frantically.
The Nervous body contain a Theremin. It is one of the first electronic music instrument in history, invented 1917 by Leon Thermen in Russia.
The Theremin works electronically and provides an electromagnetical field which can be influenced by the dynamic body-capacity of the spectator.
The changing frequencies of the theremin trigger the mechanic, the orange plush body starts to turn… a curious dialogue starting between the spectator and the object. Are the human emotions interfering with the emotions of Nervous?

Björn Schuelke

Deception - Björn Schuelke
fotografie: Jo Vervoort

Nervous - Björn Schuelke
TVF Video Production, Post-Production & Art Archive