Intersections Art Rotterdam

The work entailed a (video) performance called ‘Synthesize Me’. For this she placed modern mobile devices and their ‘swipe’ gestures opposite the theremin and its hand gestures.

During the opening, a performance took place in collaboration with theremin player Thorwald Jørgensen. “Jørgensen studied Classical Percussion in Utrecht and Tilburg. After his studies he focused on playing the theremin. He studied interpretation and technique with Saskia Boon (former cellist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra). Jørgensen performs as a soloist with orchestras indoors. – and abroad. ”

Intersections took place in the former workshops of the Van Nelle factory (opposite the main entrance of Art Rotterdam). “16 non-commercial presentation spaces and artist initiatives present a combination of video, installation and performance art here in the 1,300 m2 space.” Click here for an overview of all participants.

Taylor about her own work:

“The theremin is the only musical instrument you play without touching although it does rely on physical presence of the body to voice its sound. It uses capacitive sensing just like modern day mobile phones and has a parallel to Wi-Fi that also works at the hand of proximity. This synthesizer began in 1920 with professor Leon Theremin, he played around with the latest technology then radio, it fascinated Leon because it transformed electricity into sound and he discovered that if he put the radio frequency oscillators closer together you interfere with the sound it creates. He built an instrument where the performers body determines the sound though the distance you have to the object with capacitive sensing…I would like to create a (video) performance that delves into the relationship between media and medium, modern day mobile device hand swipe gestures vs. theremin hand movements.”