The usage of video mapping is rapidly becoming a common phenomenon in the present-day dance scene. Video mapping is a special way of projecting images, modifying surfaces into a dynamic video screens. Advanced software transforms and masks the projected images to perfectly fit these irregular shaped ‘screens’. When applying the video mapping technique well, the results are stunning, easily surpassing regular flat video projections.

Written by Stefan de Klein

Thinking of video mapping these days the names of experimental music artists like Amon Tobin and Aphex Twin jump into mind. Most people don’t know, however, that Geert Mul was one of the pioneers in this area. As early as in 1994 Dutchman Geert Mul began experimenting with video jockeying (VJ-ing) in techno club The Future in Rotterdam. A VJ was initially regarded as someone who visually enhanced a DJ performance, but later on VJ’s began performing in front of audiences of their own.

DJ Jochem Paap, better known as Speedy J, also began his career in club The Future. In the beginning of the 1990s he met Geert Mul and a collaboration was inevitable. In 1999 the time was ripe and they performed together for the first time in the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam.

In the summer of the year 2000 Mul was invited by Dutch art institution SBKM to implement his experiences with VJ-ing within the field of art. This request resulted in the creation of the video, sound and light installation Generating Live, which was exhibited in De Vleeshal in Middelburg. Generating Live used four large video screens, an audio installation and twenty-four lights, which were all driven by a specially made software program. The software made all these individual components run synchronous, tying these pieces together to form a unity.

For the production of Generating Live Geert Mul again teamed up with Jochem Paap, who was responsible for the sound design. In the years after this project Mul continued to stay active within the art scene and went on to become a respected visual artist. Jochem Paap’s alter ego Speedy J became a big name in the international club scene. These days Paap regularly performs with German DJ Chris Liebing under the alias Collabs. Both Geert Mul and Collabs will be present at his years edition of STRP Festival in The Klokgebouw in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Geert Mul will exhibit his latest work God´s Browser and his 2002 work Transfer Points at the STRP EXPO, which runs from the 18th until the 27th of November 2011in The Klokgebouw, Eindhoven.. Collabs will perform on Saturday the 19th of November together with James Holden, Michael Mayer, Len Faki, Mathew Jonson, DVS1, ROD, Fairmont, Nathan Fake, Makcim & EL-P and 360.

STRP Festival is one of the largest art, music & technology festivals in Europe. Besides an impressive international music line-up STRP Festival also presents an interactive EXPO featuring highlights in Dutch media art from the past 50 years. Highlights of the STRP EXPO are Bill Spinhoven, Erik Hobijn, JODI, Jeffrey Shaw, Marnix de Nijs, Edwin van der Heide, Geert Mul, Daan Roosegaarde, Sander Veenhof en het Palm Top Theater.

Stefan de Klein blogs for the STRP Festival 2011.

visit the websites:
Geert Mul – God’s Browser
Geert Mul – Transfer Points
Collabs at STRP Festival
The full programme of STRP Festival 2011