About
Wen Liu
Wen Liu is a composer and multidisciplinary artist. Her work is driven by a deep passion for exploring the intersection of science, technology, and visual arts. She is the founder and artistic director of the festival: M.A.R.S. (Music & Arts ReSound), and the collective Studio M.A.R.S. (Music Art Research Science).
Wen graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor and a Master of Arts in Music Composition from the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna, and pursued a Ph.D. in Music Composition at University of California, San Diego.Her acclaimed work, showcased at global festivals like La Biennale di Venezia, Ars Electronica Festival, Wien Modern, Steirische Herbst. She has earned her prestigious awards, including the Ö1 Talentebörse-Kompositionspreis, Austria Staatsstipendium, City of Vienna Musikstipendium, Goethe Institut’s ‘AI to Amplify’ Fellowship, among various others.
Alexander Hackl
Vienna-based, multifaceted artist Alexander Hackl, delved into the intersection of human bodies and technology during his “Experimental Media” studies. His acclaimed “Bodymapping Framework” was globally showcased at events like M.A.R.S. Festival and TedX. As a key figure in Studio Thisplay (2016–2022), he crafted interactive installations, including “SIMILARITIES” and “Big Data Spine,” earning the German Design Award. Since 2020, Alexander has contributed to the electro-pop duo Laikka, presenting notable works like “The Grey Edge” and “the ocean is a blue/black/gray/brown/black ocean.” His latest project, “Realistic, Close,” explores AI, bodies, gender, and bias, complemented by curating the 2023 exhibition “Unassigned At Birth”.
Artist Statement
In our pursuit of exploration, we endeavor to manifest an AI-driven music generation apparatus, ingeniously harnessing the capabilities of generative neural networks while synergistically integrating environmental data analysis. This innovative system undergoes rigorous training, drawing upon a rich tapestry of musical datasets interwoven with climate and environmental data, meticulously transmuting them into intricate audio-visual tapestries.
Within the exhibition/concert hall, a few selected audiences at a time find themselves tethered to ethereal strings of a virtual nature. As Earth’s climate state evolves, so does the auditory landscape,engendering a multisensory odyssey of unparalleled depth. Audiences hold the reins of temperature parameters, thus steering the course of musical predictability, while visualizations and real-time feedback unfurl upon the canvas of projection screens. These digital tendrils, when deftly manipulated, metamorphose into a kaleidoscope of vivid visual representations, bearing witness to the empirical realities of our climate.
The challenge lies not only in addressing climate change but also in effectively communicating predictions without triggering paralyzing responses or denial. In response, the project aims to create an interactive music concert-exhibition that establishes a direct connection with the environment. We are driven by its mission to use technology and art to make complex climate data accessible and emotionally impactful, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to raising awareness about environmental issues and fostering sustainable practices.
Project : Uncanny Reverie
Embark on an interactive music journey weaving AI and climate narratives through audience engagement. Exploring the fusion of scientific research and artistic storytelling, it examines how temperature parameters shape the predictability of AI-generated music. The project unfolds a resonant tale, guiding us through our shared environmental destiny.
Past works
