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A live 3D audio-visual performance

From Jaws to Creature from the Black Lagoon, 3D has been used by Hollywood studios to provoke new depths of engagement between the audience and the image. Now Argentinean artists Niko and Ayelen Schiavi have used the technology to present an abstract world of dynamic rhythm and movement they describe as a “mind-opening experience”.

Arte Nomade is an audio-visual artwork created in 3D. Composed of abstract images that evolve and fall into one another the viewer is drawn headlong into the screen via the illusion of depth created by wearing 3D glasses. The work is accompanied by electronic music DJ’ed live by the artists.

Niko and Ayelen Schiavi have been resident in Wellington for 15 months where they arrived from Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city of Argentina with a population of 13 million. They came here to “travel, to be part of nature, to be in touch with the sea all the time as possible and looking for new amazing spots for surfing, to learn a new language, to learn from other cultures and to share our art where ever we go.” In keeping with their travelling aspirations the name of their studio "Arte Nomade" literally translates from the Spanish to mean Nomadic Art.

Originally Niko and Ema designed the project for a party, but have since adapted it for a lounge format. They say this “involves the spectator all the more since he/she is not losing energy and concentration in dancing. The viewer has the opportunity to explore and nourish his/her own imagination and create an exclusive world where the personal interpretation leads to an unforgettable and mind opening experience.”

Niko is an architect and musician who has previously worked in South American television and film as a CG modeler for 3D backgrounds and environments. Ayelen has previously worked in graphic design, web design and motion graphics.

The 3D illusion is created using a system called Chromadepth, which transforms a 2D graphical interface into a striking 3D illusional space. Ayelen says “it permits the expansion of dimensions: it turns a plane into a volume”.

For this performance Niko and Ayelen will be DJ’ing from a collection of electronic music. “We went through an intense search and selection process of sounds and musical genres.“

Over the past few months Niko and Ayelen have performed their work at private parties thrown in their lounge. This is their first public performance. Says Ayelen - “Having produced this project exclusively in New Zealand, it's a great joy to have the opportunity to perform in 'our home city' Welly”.