Herman Kolgen’s Laboratory

It is rare to step inside an artist’s mind and witness creation from the front row. Internationally renowned artist Herman Kolgen brings his laboratory to the Musée d’art contemporain thisevening as part of MUTEK. Last month, the virtuoso of image and sound presented Inkubator for the first time through seven performances in the Électrochoc series at

The full house was made up of a curious audience, sometimes stunned, sometimes amused, but above all impressed by the raw audiovisual research. MUTEK’s international audience now has the chance to enter Herman Kolgen’s artistic process. Kolgen explains that most of his performances are completed, structured and polished, but this time he wanted to change the

rules and challenge himself.

Nature is central to the research. All the creative paths share energy and natural forces as a theme, as Kolgen confronts elements such as wind, electricity and light through creative duels using modules. The digital artist notes

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that territory has an impact on our lives. We tend to forget that we coexist with the elements of nature and that the balance of power, often invisible, is unequal. Kolgen is considered an audiocinematic sculptor; his objects take the form of installations, video and film works, performances and sound sculptures. With Inkubator, the public witnesses the premise of a creation that is usually integrated into his final works, and the

exploratory laboratory. This search for sound and image makes full sense when integrated into his performances. His work stays close to people: if someone is moved, that is what matters. Inkubator is presented as part of MUTEK tonight, May 30, at theMusée d’art contemporain from 10 p.m.

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