Projects

Michelle Frey

Hochschule Darmstadt

2023

B.A.: Motion Pictures, Film, Dokumentation

Im Dokumentarfilm „Anders Altern” (AT) sprechen lesbische Frauen über das queere Leben und Lieben im Alter. Menschlich und nahbar soll den Protagonistinnen Raum gegeben werden von sich zu erzählen – etwas, was für sie lange Zeit nicht selbstverständlich war. Noch immer leben viele ältere Menschen der LGBTQIA+ Community versteckt und in Angst, da sie aus einer Zeit kommen, in der Homosexualität keineswegs offen auslebbar war. Der Film soll ihnen eine Stimme geben, die über mehrere Generationen gehört werden soll. Der Fokus des Projekts liegt auf der Brücke zwischen Jung und Alt. Die Geschichten sollen zeigen, dass eine Verbindung zwischen den Generationen möglich und sogar wünschenswert ist, da durch respektvollen Austausch viel voneinander gelernt werden kann. Das Bewusstsein und Verständnis für die Älteren muss gestärkt werden, da sie es waren, die den Weg für die jungen queeren Menschen geebnet haben. Queerness ist kein Phänomen der Jugend!

Die Protagonistinnen sprechen nicht für alle alten Menschen der LGBTQIA+ Community – und das sollen sie auch nicht. Es ist wichtig, Kontraste aufzuzeigen, indem unterschiedliche Personen Platz finden. Der Weg des Alterns steht dabei nicht im Vordergrund – denn den einen Weg gibt es nicht. Sicherlich gibt es Ängste, die diese Menschen verbindet, aber jede Erfahrung ist individuell. Es wurden bereits drei Interviews mit Frauen aus Berlin und Eschborn geführt, deren Geschichten unterschiedlicher nicht sein könnten. Während die eine 1979 den ersten Christopher-Street-Day (CSD) in Berlin miterlebt und ihre Jugend in queeren Undergroundbars verbracht hat, ist die andere der Community fremd und bezeichnet sich selbst gar nicht als lesbisch – obwohl sie 30 Jahre lang mit einer Frau zusammen war.

Eine Stadt wie Berlin bietet viele Zusammenkünfte queerer Menschen jeglichen Alters. Kleinere Städte hingegen bedienen entweder jung oder alt. Ein Austausch kann also gar nicht stattfinden. Das Ziel über den Dokumentarfilm hinaus ist es, den allgemeinen Diskurs zwischen den queeren Generationen zu ermutigen und gegenseitiges Verständnis herzustellen – vor allem in Umgebungen, in denen es nicht gewährleistet ist. Alle bisherigen Treffen (ob Kennenlernen oder Interviewdreh) waren für alle Beteiligten unfassbar bereichernd. Sowohl für uns als Filmteam – bestehend aus vier queeren Frauen in ihren Zwanzigern, als auch für die 60- bis 80-jährigen Frauen, die sich über die Bereitschaft und das Interesse der Jüngeren freuen. Uns ist es wichtig, diese Kontakte zu halten und ihre Geschichten weiter zu erzählen, denn: wer weiß, wie lange sie uns noch erhalten bleiben. Der Dokumentarfilm handelt von Menschen, die inspirieren. Menschen, die trotz ihres Alters nie aufhören möchten zu lernen und zu entdecken. Menschen, die offen queer leben können. Menschen, die anders altern.

Benjamin Imhof

Hochschule Darmstadt

2022

B.A.: Sound and Music Production, Klanginstallation

Die interaktive Kunstinstallation @inside_eliza beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema Social Media in Bezug auf menschliche Interaktionen und künstliche Intelligenz. Sie besteht aus acht Lautsprechern, die ein immersives Klangbild erschaffen sowie einem öffentlichen Instagram-Account namens @inside_eliza. Durch Likes, Kommentare und Follows auf diesem Account können Besucher*innen eine auditive Reaktion der Installation auslösen. Für die Interaktion wird das eigene Smartphone und der private Instagram Account benötigt. Dadurch wird eine bewusste Intimität zwischen Besucher*in und Kunstobjekt erzeugt. Die Installation entwickelt sich stetig weiter und verändert sich dabei. Soziale Medien wie Instagram sind heutzutage ein wichtiger Teil des sozialen Austauschs in unserer Gesellschaft. Neben vielen positiven Aspekten der Plattform gilt es aber, das Medium auch kritisch zu betrachten. Wie Untersuchungen zeigen, kann die psychische Gesundheit, gerade bei Heranwachsenden, durch die Nutzung von Instagram beeinträchtigt werden. Bei der Installation geht es um die Befriedigung sozialer Bedürfnisse auf Instagram und die ausgelösten Emotionen der Nutzer*innen. Außerdem behandelt das Projekt die Frage nach dem Zusammenleben und den Umgang mit Bots und Fake Accounts und die jüngsten Entwicklungen durch künstliche Intelligenz. Eine Besonderheit in der Realisierung der Installation ist der innovative Einsatz der Instagram API Entwickler*innenschnittstelle.

Janina Lutter

Hochschule Darmstadt

2022

B.A.: Motion Pictures, Film

Die schüchterne Fotografin Rita und ihre rebellische Mitschülerin Raquel verbünden sich in einem nächtlichen Versuch, die Machtspiele an ihrer Schule sichtbar zu machen. Synopsis: Um die Ungerechtigkeiten, die tagtäglich an ihrer Schule passieren, verarbeiten zu können, startet die schüchterne Rita ein geheimes Kunstprojekt: Sie dokumentiert vergangene Mobbingfälle, indem sie deren Tatorte fotografiert und zu kunstvollen Collagen verarbeitet, die sie anonym im Mädchenklo ausstellt. Als ihr die queeraktivistische Mitschülerin Raquel dabei eines Nachts auf die Schliche kommt, ver- bünden sich die beiden in einem letzten Versuch, die Machtspiele an ihrer Schule sichtbar zu machen und merken dabei, wie schwer es ist, nicht nur für andere, sondern vor allem für sich selbst einzustehen. Regie-Kommentar: In “Die Schule brennt und wir wissen warum” erinnere ich mich an meine eigene Schulzeit und erzähle die Geschichte der Schülerin Rita, die Mobbingfälle beobachtet und sich durch ihr Nicht-Eingreifen mitschuldig macht. Zu groß ist ihre Angst, selbst Opfer zu werden. Die Rolle der Außenstehenden in Mobbingproblematiken wird selten in Filmen thematisiert. Genau deshalb wollte ich Ritas Gefühlswelt im Film einen Ort geben: Auf den vollgekritzelten Kabinen des Schulklos dokumentiert sie die Geschichten der Geschubsten, der Ausgenutzten, der Bedrängten. Es sind Geschichten, die sich wie Brandlöcher durch das Schulleben bohren und jeden betreffen, der dabei wegschaut.

https://dieschulebrennt-film.de/

Hessischer Jugenfilmpreis (Gewinner)

Chia-Ju Lin

Hochschule Darmstadt

2023

M.A.: Expanded Media, Immersive Experience

Abstract art, a presence for well over a century, still faces the challenge of being perceived as distant, misinterpreted, or doubted by the general public. This predicament is particularly pronounced given the prevalent ways people engage with art today: through school educations, museum tours, and media exposure. While these avenues offer access to art, they often deliver passive and somewhat disconnected encounters. With a core belief that art flourishes through expression, exploration, and firsthand involvement, this thesis proposes an immersive and interactive exhibition that highlights the trailblazer of abstract art – Paul Klee. The objective is to enrich the appreciation and comprehension of abstract art, prioritizing education and entertainment. By actively engaging participants, the aim of this thesis is to bridge the divide between audiences and the art form, cultivating heightened interest and deeper engagement. Let us delve into the immersive journey:

Enter the Rabbit Hole
To heighten anticipation and embark on an Odyssey into Paul Klee’s artistic realm, participants are guided through an enchanting pathway adorned with interactive projected walls. Along this passage, timeless classical melodies play, while dynamic interactive animations beckon participants to interact with the artworks, accessible through taps on specific elements on the projected surface.

Explore Paul Klee
Continuing along the path, participants arrive at a captivating art studio, where Paul Klee’s artworks, notes, and creative lifestyle are showcased. Within this space, a remarkable encounter with Paul Klee takes the form of a holographic display, offering an intimate glimpse into his creative process. Furthermore, with guidance from the „Explore Paul Klee“ app, participants embark on an
engaging expedition, assuming diverse roles such as detective, journalist, art collector, or Bauhaus student, to uncover the hidden narratives intertwined with Klee’s legacy.

Extend the Aesthetic Inspiration
Having immersed themselves in the thought-provoking ambiance of Klee’s studio and uncovered various insights, participants proceed to the second pathway. Here, an enthralling interactive projection accompanied by delightful classical music captures their attention. As with the initial pathway, participants sustain engagement by interacting with the experience through taps on captivating visual elements projected on the wall, thus prolonging the positive energy of their aesthetic voyage.

Create Your Own Paul Klee
This path leads participants to the „Creative Reflection Room,“ equipped with user-friendly drawing tools named „Create Your Paul Klee.“ These tools empower participants to express creativity, explore imagination, and craft their own artwork. Upon completing their creative process, participants can share their creations on an instantly projected wall within the room.

Moreover, participants can provide their email addresses within the app to receive a digital copy of their artwork, preserving their masterpiece for personal keepsakes or sharing with friends and family. Additionally, they can order personalized products featuring their artwork, thereby converting their creations into tangible mementos that sustain a lasting connection with the artistic journey undertaken during the exhibition.

Alena Kiarnia

Hochschule Darmstadt

2023

M.A.: International Media Cultural Work, Immersive Catwalk experience, digitalized Fashionshow

“E-Wasser Catwalk” is a digital fashion performance that challenges the traditional notion of haute couture and sustainability in the fashion industry. The performance is a joint thesis project of two international students studying in the International Media Cultural Work Master’s program at Hochschule Darmstadt, Alena Kiarnia and Mohamed Hesham Amer. The project participates in the performance festival “KunstTREFFPunkt” organized by the International Forest Art Center (Verein für Internationale Waldkunst e.V.) and the Center of Art and Nature (Zentrum für Kunst und Natur e.V.) in Darmstadt. The performance will be held on 31 August at 20:00 at Friedensplatz, Darmstadt. “E-Wasser Catwalk” turns Friedensplatz into a runway to showcase a collection of 15 hybrid garments augmented with digital textures. The performance artistically explores the concept of virtual water, which refers to the hidden amount of water wasted in the clothes production process. It raises the question: can fashion be more conscious of water through the use of digital technologies? The project blurs the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds, combining offline performance with real-time augmented reality (AR) components, and inviting the audience to take a fresh look at the beauty. Six displays and one big projection screen will be installed at Friedensplatz to accompany the models’ walk. For the augmented part of the show, unique digital textures were produced using 3D scanning and AI generation techniques. The textures refer to the concept of virtual water, recalling the evanescence of water’s surface. At the show, the textures are incorporated through chroma key technology, which overlaps them onto the blue clothing worn by the models. The “E-Wasser Catwalk” cherishes the idea of sustainability. By exclusively using preused clothes, the event promotes the idea of reuse and waste reduction. Moreover, the catwalk celebrates body diversity and different skin tones, featuring not professional models. Thanks to the participation of international students on the catwalk, the performance represents the international student community of Darmstadt and embodies the philosophy of the KunstTREFFpunkt performance art festival, which encourages international connection and collaboration.

Ikponmwosa Avan-Nomayo

Hochschule Darmstadt

2023

M.A.: International Media Cultural Work, Exhibition

With fast-paced technological advancement and urbanization, the atmosphere is continuously crammed with many sounds that contrast in quality with the sounds from previous years. This alteration to our acoustic environment has heightened the problem of noise pollution, its impact on humans, the disruption of wildlife habitats, and ecological harmony. Furthermore, sounds and acoustic behaviors are an essential component of our heritage, and they tell the stories of our history and our society. As such, it is a vital aspect of cultural heritage and an essential tool in understanding the social behaviors of past communities. This project aims to utilize sound to investigate the link between technology, society, and our soundscape. This sound installation project explores the evolution of telecommunications and how it transforms our communication culture, media ecology and, eventually, our soundscape. The installation will be presented at the Theater & Nedelmann in Rödermark-Urberach on Die Tage der Industriekultur Rhein-Main 2023 from Tuesday, 29th August to Sunday, 3rd September 2023. From an artistic point of view, this project investigates the possibilities of sound in generating a sensory and engaging experience for the audience. By consciously listening and understanding the sounds in our environment, we can create works of art that reflect the changing nature of our acoustic environment and promote ecological awareness. Through the use of sound features synonymous with telecommunications, such as dial tones, busy signals, ringback signals, and other distinct sounds, the sound installation will explore the evolution of telecommunication and its impact on the natural soundscape. The materials will be gathered from different sources, including field recordings, archives, and personal interviews. The location of this sound installation at Theater & Nedelmann in Rödermark-Urberach is significant because its location and the town of Rödermark-Urberach have a historical connection to the telephone company Telefonbau und Normalzeit. The facility contains a telephone booth that will be incorporated with the sound installation, adding to the overall immersive experience. This collection of sounds will be composed to catapult the listeners through time stamps, provoking a feeling of history and place and its impact on our soundscapes. The structure will reflect the evolution of telecommunication from the time of wired telephones and dial processes to the present era of smart and wireless telecommunication and how they influenced soundscapes. The recordings and data will be manipulated using various techniques, including looping, pitching, and time stretching, to create a sense of depth and variation in the soundscape. I plan to present this sound installation in a complete 3D audio setup in the main theater area of the building as a temporary exhibition. At the same time, there will be a phone booth version, enabling people to listen beyond the duration of the Tage der Industriekultur Rhein-Main 2023. The phone booth will have a telephone receiver to play the sounds. This will give visitors a unique project experience as if inside a telephone booth turned into a sound realm. This project requires 3D audio, which is an object based system for producing three-dimensional (3D) sound field for the listener, allowing them to immerse in the sound and experience a 360 acoustic sound experience.

Kanzul Fatima Arif

Hochschule Darmstadt

2023

M.A.: Expanded Media, Immersive Installation

In 2007 the Taliban insurgency took place in Swat, Pakistan, and Swat as we knew it had forever changed. The war officially ended in 2009, however, area-specific outbreaks continued resulting in the shooting of Malala Yousufzai in 2012. Even though the Taliban were declared officially defeated in Swat two years later and the 1.6 million Internally Displaced People (IDPs) were able to return home, women continue to have little access to public spaces and education to date. Objective The project aims to virtually relive a memory in which women roamed freely in Mingora Bazaar, and their haunting absence was not yet pronounced. Using mixed reality, I want to bring back the women to Mingora Bazaar. A key focus of this thesis is to demonstrate the absence of Pakistani women in public spaces in Northern Pakistan. It explores the categorical change in the visual image of a bazaar in Mingora Swat where women have been removed from public spaces in the aftermath of the Taliban Insurgency. Research includes analysing artistic works in Film, Photography, Media Art Installations, and Immersive Journalism, particularly in the context of oppressive regimes in the modern Islamic World and its impact on women. Where are the women? This thesis takes on an intimate introspection to the situation in Swat, Pakistan from the perspective of the artist. In a practical realization of this, a Virtual Reality Prototype has been produced of an installation that uses interviews, video footage, and interactive virtual space to create an immersive experience for audiences to be able to visualise the absence of women in the Mingora bazaar. Women reappear in a spatial limbo that exists at the cusp of the past and the present in Swat. Elements of nostalgia and sounds of a distant past populate this virtual space and bring back the essence of femininity that is missing in the Mingora of today. Through this project, I want to start a conversation about the absence of women in the public space in the northern areas of Pakistan. While doing so I also want to relive a time in Swat where women could freely be part of the public space.

Aisha Scott

Hochschule Darmstadt

2023

M.A.: Expanded Media, Immersive Installation

You are visiting the Technik Museum Speyer to learn about the Apollo missions when a little robot notices your potential to become an astronaut. It tells you that it needs your help with an important task: to land a man on the Moon. Now, together with the A.I. known as M.O.R.G.A.N., you will get a chance to go back in time and meet Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and JoAnn Morgan, and assist them in completing the greatest mission of the 20th century! Can you achieve this goal and land the first man on the Moon?

Objective
This Master’s project is about the creation of a concept for an exhibition on the Apollo 11 mission designed for children aged ten to twelve. It is customized for use at the space exhibition “Apollo and Beyond” in the Technik Museum Speyer.

The main goal of the project is to develop a concept for an interactive and educational experience which is tailored to the target group. The museum visitors should gain an insight into the topic of space exploration and also learn about the Apollo mission in an engaging and playful way. The idea is not for them to learn as much as possible in a short amount of time, but rather to steadily teach them, pique their interest, and spark their enthusiasm in the subject.

Scientific Education for Children
The project concept is based on intensive research, beginning with facts about the Apollo mission and the requirements of a museum. However, since the overall goal was to inspire children, it was especially crucial to research their interests and ways of learning. In order to achieve this, interviews were conducted with an astronomy and physics teacher, an employee of the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), and the technical manager of a planetarium, all people who devote themselves to children’s education and the conveyance of scientific content.

After completing the research, a concept for an interactive exhibition was created using the knowledge gained from the previous steps. A special focus was placed on storytelling, which is the heart of the experience, and the interactive story guides the visitors through the experience while ensuring that they feel immersed in what is happening and thus retain interest.

With the integration of modern technology combined with visitor involvement and interactive components, we were able to create a final concept that was subsequently converted into various prototypes. The final step of the project encompassed thoughts on how the concept could be realized.