In their video essay "Beethoven on the streets" Esin Büyükyildirim and Osman Ozan Özbanazi try to examine the ongoing popularity of Beethoven. What do the common people associate with the name of the composer? Which compositions are popular? The essay shows people sing, croon, hum, and whistle and improvise. One thing is for sure: Beethoven is famous! The video installation can be visited in the foyer of the Beethovenhalle.

Esin Büyükyildirim

Born 1978 in Istanbul. MA University of Ankara in the field of communication, television, film and radio. Working experiences in several production companies and the production studio of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Turkey. Since 2007 graduate in audio-visual media of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, postgraduate level. She is a freelance journalist working for the WDR Cologne Radyosu.

Osman Ozan Özbanazi

Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1977. 1996-2000 studies in product- and industrial design at the Middle-East-Technical University (META), Ankara, Turkey. 2000-2004 MA in radio, film and television Ankara University, Turkey. At the same time research assistant at the audio-visual center, METU.
2004-2007 postgraduate studies Academy of Media Arts, Cologne. Graduation in audio-visual media. Since 2005 freelance journalist and collaborator of WDR Broadcast Europe and designer in the field of 3D/virtual studio WDR, Cologne.

With his computer animation, Moritz Füllgrabe is trying to create a visual form which will not allow the audio aspect merge into the background, but rather afford a glimpse into classical music. On show are a poetical installation and a video "22 Movements", accompanied by the sounds of Beethoven’s Piano sonata Nr. 13 in E-Dur Opus 29 Nr.1 (2. Phrase "Quasi una fantasia"). The author’s work is inspired by his interest in the avant-garde movement of the 20s and 30s; nevertheless, he still puts his own artistic point of view across with his installation, which can be found in the foyer of the Beethovenhalle.

Born 1982 in Herne, Germany. Studies in history and philosophy, University of Bochum. Since 2004 studies in animation and experimental 3D, Department of Media Design, Academy of Media Arts, Cologne. Working experiences as a freelance journalist; design and graphical work in the field of game development and 3D-animation. Pianist (composition and free jazz), 1997-2003 with his own band.

Beethoven’s „Moonshine“ Sonata and the "Pastorale" were the inspiration for young Bejing designer and artist Zhe Li’s interactive installation "Music garden". By using new interface technology, visitors are able to bring a virtual garden to life; the garden is shown both during daytime and nighttime: Plants are growing, entwining, and spreading their beautiful colours. A perfect interplay of sound and image.

Born in Beijing, China, in 1976. 1997-2001 studies in industrial-design, Institut of Art, Tsinghua University, Beijing. 2002-2003 studies in German language, Technical University Braunschweig, Germany. 2004-2007 postgraduate studies at the Academy of Media Arts, Cologne, major in media-design. Graduation in audio-visual media in 2007. Since 1999 several freelance projects i.a. in the field of Beijing Opera and TV-Design. CI for the Institut of Science, Beijing. Animations and videos for the Millenium Festival and further festivals in Beijing and Shanghai; interactive scenography for the Aquarius Watermuseum. Zhe Li runs a design-studio in Beijing.

The starting point for Nando Nkrumahs picture/sound facade "Capacitas" in the foyer of the Beethovenhalle is a visualization of sound space. Visual modules are created by the use of graphic and geometrical elements such as lines, surfaces, cubes, as well as contrast and rhythm. The purpose is to create a connection to Beethoven’s Violin sonata Nr. 7. Opus 30 Nr. 2(Scherzo). Instrumental tracks taken from a synchronized midi–database aid this experience. The result is a composition of continuous visual structures, creating an imaginary space through camera movements, cuts, light and shadows.

Studies in industrial-design, University of Essen, Germany. 2005 Graduation with distinction. Practical training and collaboration Fraunhofer Institut (IPT), Zato-car production, United Design Workers. Studies in design and architecture, Singapore. Since 2002 freelance designer in the field of industrial design and visual communication. Several projects for the Deutsche Post, Swany, Abus, Drabert and Rossignol. Since 2005 postgraduate studies at the Academy of Media Arts, Cologne. Majors in interface design, interaction design, film/video and animation combined with industrial design.

Martin Grubingers event "percussive planet - Long Night of the Drummers" took place on September 23rd 06 at T-Mobile Forum Bonn. Cologne V-Jays and Visual Designers "Lichtfront" (with Jörg Thommes, Stephan Müller, Svenja Kübler, André Gronewald and Ingo Pelmer) developed a new format and dramaturgy of digital image composing set to classical music. Over 6 hours “Lichtfront’s“ visual live performance and motion-stage-design accompanied Grubingers percussion journey with pieces of 35 composers from all five continents i.a. Aaron Copland, Iannis Xeniakis, Steve Reich, Astor Piazzolla, Leornard Bernstein, John Cage, Dimitrij Schostakowitsch, Anders Koppel, Nikolai Kapustin, Toshimitsu Tanaka, Minoru Miki, Martin Grubinger. Frank Horlitz was responsible for the art direction of the evening.

Frank Horlitz

Born 1969 in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany. Studies and graduation in interior-architecture Polytec Lippe. At the same time working experiences and tutorings in the field of exhibition- and experimental design. Co-founder and development of the studio for digital- and multimedia-design at the Polytec Lippe. Postgraduate studies and graduation in media design at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne. Since 2001 academic collaborator and tutor for video, interactive media and scenography at the Academy of Media Arts. Freelancer and Art Director in cross-media agencies and studios with emphasis on interdisciplinary exhibition design, architecture and media. Several exhibitions and installations for fairs and museums.

LICHTFRONT

Lichtfront Vj’s are working on an international scale. They play at best known places and festivals in Europe (FiberFib, Monegros, Nature One, Mayday, Love Parade, Timewarp) and in Asia (Zoukout@Singapore, Cream@Manila, Winterlove@Taiwan) providing special visuals for DJ Hell, Miss Kittin, Paul van Dyk, Kompakt Label, Carl Cox, Sven Väth, Vitalic, David Caretta, Vitalic, Tiesto, Mogui, DeepDish and many more.
www.lichtfront.com

Joerg Thommes

Professional training in the field of type-setting, degree as typographer. 1993-2000 studies and graduation in
smedia-design, Polytec Aachen/Aix-en-Chapelle, Germany.
2001-2003 studies and graduation in media-psychology, Cologne. 2004-2006 postgraduate studies Academy of Media Arts, Cologne, graduation in audio-visual media. Freelance
film-director in the field of music and advertisement. Art direction and artistic supervision in the field of visual effects and compositing.

Svenja Kübler

1995-2000 studies and graduation in media-design, Polytec Aachen/ Aix-en-Chapelle, Germany. 2003-2005 postgraduate studies at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, major in film and television, graduation in audio-visual media. Film-director and art-director in the field of musicvideos, trailers and on-air-design. Artistic specialization in the field of compositing.

Stephan Müller

1993-2000 studies and graduation in media-design, Polytec Aachen/ Aix-en-Chapelle, Germany. 2000-2005 postgraduate studies at the Academy of Media Arts, Cologne, graduation in audio-visual media. Freelance filmdirector in the field of music and advertisement. Art direction and artistic supervision in the field of visual effects and compositing.

Ingo Pelmer

1993-2000 studies and graduation in media-design, Polytec Aachen/Aix-en-Chapelle, Germany. Professional freelancer in the field of graphic-design and on-air-design.

André S. Gronewald

Professional freelancer in the field of design with specialization in flash design.

MARTIN GRUBINGER, Multipercussion Artist

He started his studies at the age of 13 at the Bruckner Conservatory, Linz and the Mozarteum, Salzbug. Youngest finalist of the renowned 2nd World Marimba Competition Okaya, Japan, and finalist of the competition of the European Broadcast Union EBU Bergen, Norway. Leonard Bernstein Award 2007, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Concerts (2006, 2007, 2008) i.a. International Beethoven Festival, Bonn; Lucern Festival; Philharmony Cologne; Cité de la Musique Paris; Salle de Concerts Grande-Duchesse Luxembourg; Concertgebouw Amsterdam; Palais des Beaux Arts Brüssel; Konserthuset Stockholm; Birmingham Concert Hal; Megaron Athen; Carnegie Hall New York.
www.martingrubinger.at