Every year since the 2007 edition of the Mapping we have been graced with the fine eye of Stephan Pecorini (aka Ork). His photos have provided definitions of the experiences that are the performances, workshops and other arms of our festival. This years offering does not disappoint. Some of the moments captured here brought a tear to this writers eye.
Sonom
On the opening night of the festival, deep within the bowels of the Batiment d’Art Contemporain the performance ‘Synthetic Lighthouse-phony” of Sonom unfolded. After the close of the performance environment they created lived on as an installation.
thankstoyoutooeveryone!
As I write this the festivities of Mapping 2009 are definitely closed. It was quite an edition. We enjoy every edition. It would be difficult to make comparisons because with each one we collapse from exhaustion and smile and every year the smile gets a little wider.
This year, despite still being a multi-location-simultaneously type event we have managed to bring together some of the most interesting artists working in the vj field today. There were some definite trends in this years selections. The first that comes to mind is the use of the live camera feed. From Teatrino, through Brubuja in the performance area to the installation of Klif, the use of a live feed was one of the components that truly defined or destroyed a direct experience through a projected image.
Another trend was the general focus on defining a physical presence on stage. The LaptopsRUS event and Strap On Dildos along with any of the acts during the Girls Night event was not just about images but how the people who control the images can be part of the experience.
If there is any area of VJing that might be defined as ‘traditional’ then for this writer it could be easily defined as VJing for DJ’s in a club. The Kompakt night was without a doubt the definitive in providing this experience. The lineup was nothing short of classical. As organizers it is sometimes very difficult during the club nights to see everything but a quick recollection definitely brings for the smoothly refined moments of Okinawa 69 on the screens of the Zoo. It was also very special to meet him as someone who loves what he does with every pulse of his body. All of this poured into his images and the movements that change them to the music. Bravo.
As we slowly recover from the whole experience we hope to provide you with more information/photos/videos of the festival as well as any activities that will appear on our horizon.
THANK YOU AGAIN EVERYONE!
Frischvergiftung
Now there is some love.
The photos of Thierry Bouscayrol
Last year, the tall, slim bespectecled Thierry Bouscayrol purchased a Panasonic DMC-FX37. One of the reasons he did so was because the sales people told him he could shoot full resolution HD on it. He reported to the Mapping Team that he had been taking photos and videos of the festival and that he would share them with us.
The photos from last year remained with him so we are getting those a year late. But it was worth the wait. We got to see some moments of the festival we had missed as is often the case when you have multiple venues operating at the same time. While we sort through the old we are also pleased to be able to quickly present Thierry’s most recent images from this years Mapping Festival. Follow the link on the photo to see more.
Beat Torrent annulé /cancelled
Le groupe Beat Torrent a annulé sa venue au dernier moment. Il sera remplacé par Torrent de Bites, un duo VJ/DJ aussi impromptu qu’enthousiaste. Et torride surtout.
MX ZEHN installation
One of the center pieces of this years installations is the work of MXZEHN. Long and thin pieces of wood butted between the ceilings, walls and floor seemingly grow from the intestines of the cold steel staircase. Within the triangulation’s that are generated by the structure are small pieces of card board. We are often used to expecting a lot of bright light from the surfaces we project on. Therefore it is a pleasant change in seeing the softness of the unpainted cardboard.
I found it to be very calming when watching it. It almost demands it but in a very kind and effective manner. It is a static shatter that does not bite.
Cameras: Jerome Monnot, Ilan Katin
Editing: Jerome Monnot
Mobile projections?
World Radio have posted an article about the mobile video projects presented at this years Mapping Festival. Interviews with Videoman, VJ Lupin and VJ Oblivion.
Lucy Benson review
The festival was joined by quite notable quantity of VJ enthusiasts from all over the globe. We were graced by the presence of VJ Culture from the east coast of the U.S. whom we invited to join the jury of the VJ Contest. Completely unexpected was the presence of Lucy Benson from Australia.
Lucy has written a very fine article on her blog about her experiences at this edition of the festival. She also delivers some valuable critiques that every artist should savior in moving this still budding medium forward in a meaningful way.