AMIANGELIKA

AMIANGELIKA's artistic journey began with an extensive period of experimentation in abstract photography and videography. During this formative time, she developed a preference for darker aesthetics, primarily embracing monochrome tones. This exploration allowed her to illuminate the contours of her innermost concerns, presenting them in a pure and ethereal form—a striking contrast to the surrounding darkness.

Her interest in metaphysical concepts and mythology played a significant role in shaping her artistic direction. As an avid reader of mythological texts from various cultures, she explored existential themes through both her experiences and those of others. This curiosity naturally evolved into a desire to visually encapsulate stories, creating immersive environments where narratives could be felt rather than told, appealing directly to the senses without the mediation of words.

A turning point in her career came when she was introduced to TouchDesigner, a visual programming language for real-time interactive multimedia content. Initially hesitant due to her familiarity with Adobe products, her perspective changed after attending a solo show by United Visual Artists at 180 The Strand. The exhibition showcased the transformative power of integrating art and technology to shape environments and influence audience perceptions. Inspired by this experience, she delved into TouchDesigner, marking a significant shift in her artistic practice towards new media and experiential art.

AMIANGELIKA has established herself as a prominent figure in the field of new media and experience art. Her practice revolves around exploring the interconnection between image and sound, as well as machine-human interaction, resulting in both performance-based and installation-based works. She creates fully generative, real-time rendered pieces that react to live inputs through audio or motion-tracking sensors, aiming to create immersive audiovisual environments that enhance the physical perception of space.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of her practice. She has worked with diverse interdisciplinary artists, including music producer 1100 and the contemporary dance company Dance.Film.Performance. Together, they explore the dynamic intersections of movement, sound, and visual art, constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional performance and installation art. Real-time technologies ensure that each showcase is an evolving experience, breaking down conventional barriers between the audience and the artwork.

One of her notable collaborations is the audiovisual performance 'BLCK SUN,' created with 1100. Premiered at the Currents New Media Festival in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the performance is a metaphor for submerging into one's inner chaos. By exploring the juxtaposition of themes such as chaos and order, darkness and light, the performers take the viewer on a journey through different spaces of the inner labyrinth. The piece is experienced in spatial audio and recorded in real-time using analog synthesizers, digital instruments, and visual programming networks that interact to create a time-sensitive, immersive audiovisual environment.

AMIANGELIKA's work is deeply rooted in Norse and Greek mythology. These mythologies, with their intricate tales of chaos and order, love and hate, and life and death, form a foundation upon which she builds her narratives. For instance, the Greek mythology saga of Gaia, Uranus, and the Titans captures the eternal struggle between creation and destruction—a theme that echoes throughout her work. Similarly, the Norse tale of Ragnarok, with its cyclical nature of end and rebirth, beautifully illustrates the tension between endings and new beginnings. These universal themes provide a compelling framework that resonates in her work.

Integrating these mythological narratives into her practice is both intuitive and intricate. It involves weaving a delicate fabric where each thread is meticulously chosen and carefully integrated to contribute to the overall narrative while maintaining balance within the piece's aesthetic. This metaphorical translation of ancient stories allows her to draw correlations with the contemporary world, creating a seamless blend of the past and present.

In her work, she aims to embody the essence of these myths through powerful imagery and profound themes. Symbolism and thematic parallels are crucial, connecting ancient insights with modern-day experiences. This synthesis of myth and metaphor enables her to address complex metaphysical questions through a visually and emotionally engaging medium, weaving timeless yet acutely relevant stories for today's audience.

AMIANGELIKA is at the forefront of innovation in new media art, constantly immersing herself in various technologies and analyzing their potential to enhance her narratives. Each project becomes a playground for incorporating something that excites her technologically or introduces an element she's never encountered before. This approach keeps her work fresh and engaging, pushing her to explore new territories.

For instance, in the dance performance 'Poem of Rua,' premiered with Matthew Howard during the Resolution Festival in London, she suggested creating an interactive floor projection. Using an infrared camera rigged above the stage to track the performers' positions, she linked these coordinates to the visuals, creating projections that followed the performers around the stage. This added a layer of technological sophistication and ignited her passion for interactive floor methods—a concept she had long wanted to explore.

This experience highlighted a crucial aspect of her approach: integrating new technology should enhance, not overshadow, the conceptual essence of the work. The goal is to add a touch of 'magic,' making the integration appear effortless, even though it involves countless nights of programming and troubleshooting. Incorporating cutting-edge technology is not about creating a spectacle for its own sake but about enhancing the audience's experience, adding depth to the narrative, and challenging herself to evolve continuously.

https://www.instagram.com/amiangelika

https://blcksunrecords.bandcamp.com/album/blck-sun

https://www.dancefilmperformance.co.uk/projects

https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/artists-speakers/vj-amiangelika/1520779/