Fragile Territories in Berlin

A laser art installation that lasts indefinitely and in which the visual and acoustic sequences never repeat themselves?
This is exactly what is presented in Robert Henke’s work “Fragile Territories.” In his installation, Henke playfully explores questions about territory, where its boundaries lie, and who occupies which space and when.

Robert Henke is using self written generative algorithms for this. By combining a few relatively simple ‘agents’ and infusing a bit of random behaviour, an overall structure emerges that creates an endless stream of new shapes and combinations as time passes by. The work merges a rigid minimalistic aesthetic, formed by moving vertical and horizontal lines in geometric patterns, with the almost calligraphic and organic behaviour of the laser scanners.

To achieve the precision and visual quality he aims for, he relies on four custom-made laser projectors from LaserAnimation Sollinger.

The installation also consists of a multichannel sonic layer, built of  transformed piano notes and high-frequency mechanical sounds, which are controlled by the same algorithm that creates the laser graphics. While the image changes slowly at long intervals, every six seconds a black shadow reminiscent of the rotor blade of a giant wind turbine moves from right to left seemingly in front of the projection, with a synchronous sonic counterpart.

The installation was one of the highlights of the 40th anniversary celebrations in Berlin. It was originally commissioned in 2012 by Le Lieu Unique in Nantes, France, and has been shown world wide since then. It also won an ILDA award.

We would like to thank Robert Henke for his great contribution to the anniversary, as well as for his long-standing connection to LaserAnimation Sollinger and Michael Sollinger.