Lawrence Malstaf wins the Golden NICA in Interactive Art at Prix Ars Electronica 2009 in Linz with Nemo Observatorium

LAWRENCE MALSTAF WINS THE GOLDEN NICA IN INTERACTIVE ART AT PRIX ARS ELECTRONICA 2009

Lawrence Malstaf designed scenographies for choreographers and directors such as Benoît Lachambre, Meg Stuart and Kirsten Delholm. Soon he developed more into installation and performance art with a strong focus on movement, coincidence, order and chaos. Later he created larger mobile environments dealing with space and orientation, often using the visitor as a co-actor. His projects often involve advanced technology as a point of departure or inspiration but also to activate the installations.

Lawrence Malstaf has been awarded the Golden Nica for Interactive Art for his installation 'Nemo Observatorium'. The 30th edition of Ars Electronica 2009, festival for art, technology and society takes place in Linz, Austria from September 3rd till 8th. This year the festival's focus is human nature, the reinvention of nature.

Styrofoam beads are blown around in a big transparent PVC cylinder by five powerful fans. Visitors can take a seat on the armchair in the middle of the whirlpool or observe from the outside one at a time. On the chair, in the eye of the storm, it is calm and safe. Spectacular at first sight, this installation turns out to mesmerize like a kind of meditation machine. One can follow the seemingly cyclical patterns, focus on the different layers of 3D pixels or listen to its waterfall sound. One could call it a training device, challenging the visitor to stay centered and to find peace in a fast-changing environment. After a while the space seems to expand and one's sense of time becomes confused.

Image: Nemo Obervatorium, Courtesy Galerie Fortlaan 17 - Gent (BE)