schwelle (engl. = threshold, psych.) – a limit below which a stimulus causes no reaction.

for each natural, periodic phenomenon, a frequency can be specified. the change of day and night, for example, takes place with a frequency of 1/24 hours = 0.00001 Hz. the sound waves perceptible by the human ear range from 16 to 20,000 Hz. light waves perceptible by the human eye range from 400 to 750 THz.

starting from these thresholds of human perception, the installation examines relations between these individual phenomena. a grid of 16 light lines - which number refers to the hearing threshold of human hearing, in which sound waves in space transition from a temporal to an auditory perceptible level - is manipulated by a multi-channel composition in its light intensity. the sound moves simultaneously on a vertical and horizontal axis; it is represented by the light in its dynamic distribution in space as well as in its energy content. the combination of temporal, auditory and visual structure creates an immersive experience for the visitor and interacts with the architecture of the space. 

"every beginning is cheerful, the threshold is the place of expectation."
johann wolfgang von goethe

raster. schwellen was specially designed for the electriciteitsfabriek in the hague on the occasion of todaysart festival 2019.

idea, realization: raster. artistic platform; grischa lichtenberger, kyoka matsuzawa, olaf bender, benjamin miller, holger eichhorn
music: byetone

photo credits: 1 marc mikaelian; 2, 3 maurice mikkers; 4 pierre zylstra