AT 2004, bw, 10 min
co-director: Billy Roisz, music: Christof Kurzmann, Martin Siewert, Toshimaru Nakamura, distribution: sixpackfilm, Light Cone
Sound/intoxication (Rauschen) is what the music video is about, say the artists, and the ecstatic (Rauschhaft). The German play on words actually makes sense in My Kingdom for a Lullaby #2; it suits a piece, in which electronically generated sounds and images are modulated and combined in a thoroughly sensorial or even ecstatic manner. The term „white noise“ refers to both visual and acoustic elements. It is a prevailing theme in this video, an abstract piece, which requires that the viewer look and listen with utmost attention. On a white screen appear horizontal and vertical lines in delicate gray. First they alternate, then overlap, fade, then become more intense. The soundtrack plays a primary role, is equally as powerful (and elusive) as the images: a composition of crackling, noises (Rauschen), and whirring begins to emerge; music comprised of subtle electronic tones and high frequency „distortion“. The borders separating sound, tone, and rhythm are fluid. (A lullaby of sorts, as the title vaguely attempts to indicate, is nevertheless not discernable with the ear alone). Darkening and brightening, emphasis and moderation, elevating and lowering: testing picture and sound, shifted parallel and against each other, possible variations and slants. Towards the end, the lines that have emerged in the picture vibrate like the struck strings of an instrument: a final ironic reference to the objective image, offering one last contribution from the kingdom of digital abstraction. my kingdom for a lullaby #2 explores a basic acoustic and visual setup, investigating the raw materials that make up what we casually call music and film. Sensation, reason, movement, and tone: it´s all there. White noise does not need mountains or drama, the noise knows all.
Sound/intoxication (Rauschen) is what the music video is about, say the artists, and the ecstatic (Rauschhaft). The German play on words actually makes sense in my kingdom for a lullaby #2; it suits a piece, in which electronically generated sounds and images are modulated and combined in a thoroughly sensorial or even ecstatic manner. The term „white noise“ refers to both visual and acoustic elements. It is a prevailing theme in this video, an abstract piece, which requires that the viewer look and listen with utmost attention. On a white screen appear horizontal and vertical lines in delicate gray. First they alternate, then overlap, fade, then become more intense. The soundtrack plays a primary role, is equally as powerful (and elusive) as the images: a composition of crackling, noises (Rauschen), and whirring begins to emerge; music comprised of subtle electronic tones and high frequency „distortion“. The borders separating sound, tone, and rhythm are fluid. (A lullaby of sorts, as the title vaguely attempts to indicate, is nevertheless not discernable with the ear alone).
Darkening and brightening, emphasis and moderation, elevating and lowering: testing picture and sound, shifted parallel and against each other, possible variations and slants. Towards the end, the lines that have emerged in the picture vibrate like the struck strings of an instrument: a final ironic reference to the objective image, offering one last contribution from the kingdom of digital abstraction. my kingdom for a lullaby #2 explores a basic acoustic and visual setup, investigating the raw materials that make up what we casually call music and film. Sensation, reason, movement, and tone: it´s all there. White noise does not need mountains or drama, the noise knows all. (Stefan Grissemann)
Festivalplacements:
European Media Art Festival Osnabrück/GER (nominated for EMAF Award), Avanto Helsinki Media Art Festival/FIN, Tampere Film Festival/FIN, Kill Your Timid Notion- Dundee Contemporary Arts/UK, Brief Encounters Bristol International Short Film Festival- Bristol/UK, Sound Journey Tenerife/E, Trieste Film Festival- Triest/I, Motovun, Film Festival Zagreb/HR , International Media Art Biennale- Wroclaw/POL, Ann Arbor Film Festival- Michigan/USA, prog:ME Festival- Rio de Janeiro/BRA
Screenings:
Austrian Filmmuseum/A, Topkino Vienna/A, Künstlerhaus Mousonturm Frankfurt/GER, Cinema de Bailie Amsterdam/NL, Nova Cinéma Brussels/B, Lightcone Paris/F, Vila do Conde Festival Curtas Metragens/PT, Sottovoce Film Festival London/UK, Austrian Cultural Forum/UK, Buenos Aires Independent Film Festival/ARG
Exhibitions:
See the Rhythm. Synaesthetical Concepts In Contemporary Austrian Video- KBB Kulturbüro Barcelona/E,
Prize:
nominated for EMAF Award at the European Media Arts Festival 2004 in Osnabrück/Germany
Review: Avantoscope
My Kingdom for a Lullaby #2, which is composed of distorted sounds and broken, abstract images. This uncompromising work represents the indisputable apex of digital video works based on subtle, minimalistic variations of source material.
see also my kingdom for a lullaby live