blackhole-factory is a group of intermedia artists based in Braunschweig, Germany. Members of the group are Elke Utermoehlen, Martin Slawig and Martin Kroll. blackhole-factory developes performances and installations utilizing the creative tension between information technology and the physical presence of bodies in space, exploring possible methods of augmented space and perception.
Generally the projects are using found materials, field recordings, interviews, lo-tech electronics, custom software, sensors and custom interfaces.
In their investigative and site specific arts projects the group is exploring aspects of everyday live and identity, focussing on urban space and ethnologic/ anthropologic questions. Some of the works have been created in open processes as participatory art projects. Since 2001 they are directing a group of performers with learning difficulties, creating live art with the use of low-tech electronics and digital media.
blackhole-factory cooperates in an international network with artists, scientists and cultural organisations. Collaborations with Lukasz Szalankiewicz (Krakow), David Bickerstaff (London), Sigi Torinus (USA/ Canada) José Seoane (Cuba), noiseborder ensemble (Canada), Ethernet Orchestra, Roger Mills (Sydney), Steve Buchanan (Geneva), Marc Sloan (New York), Zufit Simon (Berlin), June Pak (Toronto), CO Caspar (Berlin), Brenda Hutchinson (USA), Dr José Millet (Cuba/ Venezuela), mehrsicht-theater (Braunschweig). Their works are being shown at notable festivals, in theatres and galleries in Germany, Mazedonia, Turkey, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Rep., Austria, Belgium, USA, Canada, Cuba, Brasil, Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
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Elke Utermöhlen
Performer, stage director, sound artist. 1984-92 Co-founder and actress of the german/peruvian Ensemble La Otra Orilla. Physical theatre, at that time intensely involved in expanded intercultural exchange. Co-founder of LOT-Theater Braunschweig, collaborating with this venue until 2005. Initiator and organizer of international culture- and arts projects. She works with live electronics and computers, developes research based or/and site specific installations. She plays improvised music: experimental use of voice in combination with realtime processing software and found objects. Since 2001 director of “TiG – Theater im Glashaus”, an ensemble of performers with learning difficulties (www.theaterglashaus.de). 2010 artistic director of “Handicap Null”, an international theater festival for artists with intellectual disability. Since 2009 member and co-founder of “Theater-Outlet”, a regional umbrella association for independent professional theater and related arts.
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Martin Slawig
composer, performer, audio visual artist
He works with performance and installations using custom built instruments, objects, field recordings and digital media with his own software for performances and installations based on Max/MSP.
Co-founder of German artists group blackhole-factory
www.blackhole-factory.de
Co-director of Theater im Glashaus, a group of performers with learning difficulties www.theaterglashaus.de
Co-founder of Kunstmühle, an artist-run working studio and performance/ installation space in Braunschweig
www.theaterhaus-kunstmuehle.de
Pre-diploma in electrical engineering, studied percussion in Togo (West Africa), Cuba and at the International School of Percussion in Munich. Until year 2000 concerts as percussionist in Germany and Europe in the field of Jazz-, Latin- and African music.
Autodidact in digital media and programming.
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Martin Kroll
Independant photographer. Worked with several well-known photographers like Jörg Schanze, Peter Keil, Franklin Berger, Heinz Kastrop. Works for press agencies and editorial departments. Besides the commercial work he is interested to explore new fields of visual communication. Reportages, photo journalism during his journeys i.e. in Asia, Australia, Central and South America. His main fields of work now are people and documentary photography.
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