July 3, 2008, 10pm
Blacksmoke & Blackbird
Two videos by Thomas Frenzel & Katja Schweiker

The Blackbird video is a collaborative music visualization project by Katja Schweiker and Thomas Frenzel. The video was done for Michael Fakeschs audio-visual project called VIDOS, a collection of music visualizations based on his album DOS. The video will find its place on the upcoming VIDOS DVD release among some of the most renowned filmmakers, designers and motion graphic artists.

The video is design is based on collage-like visual samples that quote Michael Fakeschs auditory style and mixes analog with digital elements‚ metaphors of the material and the immaterial and therefore objects of the real and the dream world. This composition creates kind of surrealistic environments. The brief plot is about trying and failure‚ trying to leave behind, trying to live in a forward-turned way, trying not to resign or surrender and finally trying to get aware.

Music:  Michael Fakesch and Taprikk Sweezee
Visuals: Katja Schweiker and Thomas Frenzel
Label: !K7 Records
Length: 1:35 min
Microsite: http://blackbird.thomasfrenzel.com

The VIDOS project is curated by Cornelia and Holger Lund/Fluctuating Images. Thanks to Patrick Schuler.

The multimedia initiative Danger Global Warming Project was set off by UK based Blacksmoke Organisation and Greenpeace. The project was designed to raise awareness of climate change worldwide with a mix of original images, sound and videos. Several internationally acclaimed music artists like Coldcut, Trentemoeller, Biosphere and many more have been contributing remixes of the Danger Global Warming theme. Some of those have been chosen to be visualized by selected video artists.

The music visualization is based on the remix by Michael Fakesch and is build upon a mixture of hand-crafted illustrations and computer generated elements that result in a synergetic combination‚ a fusion of artificial and organic matters. The hybrid collage principle enables a visual language that is variant and comparably consistent. As the topic of the Danger Global Warming Project is about climate change, many components are kind of recycled, remixed or sampled and derive directly from the content of global warming issues or quote the project is visual communication elements like the Danger Global Warming tape or the logotype.

The video scenario is about creation, followed by urban and industrial sceneries. Repetitive elements and the process of construction and de-construction reflects the proceeding functionalization and rationalization of the natural environment and society and shows some of the most severe impacts of climate change we can experience nowadays.

The video and the whole venture itself are supposed to subtly attract people to the project goals and to encourage as many as possible to strongly change their mindset towards climate change. The Danger Global Warming Project will be launched in the UK this year and worldwide subsequently. Selected remixes will be available on iTunes Store. A DVD release and a book publication will come along with exhibitions and worldwide promotional activities.

Music: The Blacksmoke Organisation
Remix: Danger Global Warming (Recycled by Michael Fakesch)
Visuals: Thomas Frenzel
Length: 3:52 min
Links:
http://www.dangerglobalwarming.com
http://www.myspace.com/dangerglobalwarming
http://www.thomasfrenzel.com
http://www.michaelfakesch.com

Curatorial support by Cornelia and Holger Lund/Fluctuating Images.