Studying and working in the field of Architecture and New Media, the subject of space is ubiquitous throughout all my projects. “Just as other media types it can be instantly transmitted, stored and retrieved, compressed, reformatted, streamed, filtered, computed, programmed and interacted with. In other words, all operations which are possible with media as a result of its conversion to computer data can now also apply to (representations of) physical space.”

Concept Raumstadt

In his early works around 1925 Frederick Kiesler envisioned the RAUMSTADT for an exhibition in Paris. Taking this 100 year old idea to the next level, I envision the same structure to serve as grid for social networks and virtual reality to become embedded within the modern city. Borders and transitions between the real and virtual get crossed, virtual space floats into reality. The virtual RAUMSTADT sculpture connects in an abstract way to the existing city and offers new ways of participation and perception. It is like a grid, that is dense and light at the same time, like a city. It works in all dimensions. No real plan or map can be drawn other then in 3D.

Exhibition AT Trouw Amsterdam

The Raumstadt concept was translated into a physical installation at Trouw Amsterdam. Visitors could experience both, the virtual and the physical exhibition simoultaneously.

Raumstadt Moers

Next to the physical installation in Amsterdam, the concept was also applied as a two-dimensional graphic in Moers, where it merged with the existing structure and dimensions of the building.

Beatplantation Duisburg / Traumzeitfestival

Finale Ruhr 2010, Essen (D)

The concept was to use the existing architecture in 3D and transform its natural grid. Playing with the modification of the original geometry, deconstruct, transform, reduce its resolution... The final architectural mapping had to be prepared as one animation that spans across all four sides of the building.

Documentation

Structures

Back to the roots: urban structures as source of inspiration

Beatplantation

Kugelautomat, Fusion 2011 / 2012

Kugelautomat is an immense rolling ball sculpture / installation. A deliberately over-engineered and overdone machine that performs a very simple task in a very complex fashion. The physical shape of it is inspired by engineered structures but actually simply holds the ball track. At the same time though, it was supposed to look massive, brutal, steampunk-style. From a control panel you can interact with the machine, steering the motor, lights and steam while a series of reactions and sounds are triggered along the trajectory of the ball.

Build-up process

Documentation

The Becoming of Author of Space

How does the model of Authorship function in digital media spaces compared to traditional media?

With this question in mind I set out to write my thesis towards the end of studies in 2012. I aimed at combining as much as possible the most relevant topics of my work - (digital) media / space / virtual / reality.

The final thesis turns out as an investigation in the general dynamic between authorship (sending), spatial form (medium) and information (retrieval) and how this might work differently in todays' computer culture. The assumption is that space is a medium; “just as other media types it can be instantly transmitted, stored and retrieved, compressed, reformatted, streamed, filtered, computed, programmed and interacted with. In other words, all operations which are possible with media as a result of its conversion to computer data can now also apply to (representations of) physical space.” The text asks in how far the creation and perception of such spacious media is different from traditional media forms and whether this difference may also affect the traditional author function of space in the end.

My research topics include …

Dataspace

Responsive environments

New types of spaces

Considerations

Most often within my projects I have added digital media on top of physical objects. However, the goal has always been to achieve a merging of physical and digital / virtual space.

Graduation project

For the graduation exhibition in July 2013 I developed a project of the same title combining my research with relevant topics of my work - (digital) media / space / virtual / reality. The modular building approach of the Gerrit Rietveld Academy served me as inspiration to extend the physical space into new dimensions, somewhere between real and virtual.