“I
am an instrument-buildingperformer-composer,”
saysBerlin-based artist Robert Henkewhen asked
todescribeexactlywhat it is hedoes. “I see it as
a very 21st-century occupation– something that
has happenedmainlywith the advent of
computers.”He’s also somethingof ahypnotist. “I wantmy
audience to reach a trance-like stateof perpetual eternity,” he
says. “I like this ideaof a timeless state.”
Henke’smost recent preoccupation,
Lumière
, is designed
todo just that. It’s a trippy combinationof a jarring electronic
soundscape, composedby the artist, andcomplexmorphing
shapes createdby high-powered, dancing lasers. Thewhole
performance is basedon self-written software, whichHenke
plays like an instrument. Although the softwarehas abasic
level of repeating shapes, eachperformance is unique, based
onmanipulations executedbyHenke liveon stage tocreate a
level of interaction and spontaneity. “There’s always room for
somethingmagic tohappen at anymoment,” he says.
With abackground inengineering and a lifelong interest in
music and the abstract, Henke seemeddestined for high-tech
performance art. Synthesised soundscapes, light, computers and
performancehave always been key tohiswork, but the lasers
used in
Lumière
are anew addition. “Workingwith lasers offers
a very limited language,” saysHenke. “But I like tofight against
something that is limitedbutwhich is very beautiful within that.”
Lumière
is anongoing live experience, andHenke hopes to
stage at least 25performances each year for the next five years,
at locations ranging from electronicmusic festivals to concert
halls. So far, he’s played 16 shows, including theBarbican in
London, transmediale festival inBerlin, andUnsound Festival
inKrakow, Poland. “Whenperforming in front of a standing
audience, I play something that is connected toelectronicdance
music. In a theatre space I focusmoreon the subtledetails and
thechanges between scenes,” saysHenke. “I really like to adapt
theperformance todifferent conditions.”
If youwant tocatchoneofHenke’s shows,
Lumière
has
upcomingperformances this year inAmsterdam,Madrid, Riga,
Paris andBerlin (checkout the full listingonhiswebsite). “The live
experience is essential,” saysHenke. “I do things that onlymake
sense ina specific situation, ina specificmoment. If youwant to
experience it, youhave tobe there.”
roberthenke.com
Norwegianflies toAmsterdam,Berlin,Madrid,ParisandRiga.
Bookflights,ahotelandarental caratnorwegian.com
Berlin-basedartistRobertHenke’s liveperformances
feature trippyelectronicaandhigh-powered lasers
Words
⁄
Mandi Keighran
Howdo youmake
lasersdance?
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n
A
