Popcorn Robot
Moritz Simon Geist, Jonas Engelhardt
Short Description:
Popcorn Robot by German artist Moritz Simon Geist transforms popcorn into a cultural icon and a symbol of automation. This work mechanizes the act of popping corn, triggering Bauhaus-inspired kitchen utensils from the old GDR to produce sound. Developed during the pandemic, and now re-imagined for the exhibition the performance embraces randomness and operates without human control, aligning with the spontaneity of jazz, which Geist calls "Beyond Human Jazz." Utilizing self-developed robots and MIDI sensors, the piece creates an autonomous, unpredictable auditory experience. The work's initial viral success, with over 16 million views since its release in 2021, highlights its playful exploration of nostalgia, and automation.
Detailed Description of the Work
Popcorn Robot by German artist Moritz Simon Geist centers around the idea of popcorn as a cultural icon, associated with nostalgia and cinema but also automatization. In this piece, the act of popcorn popping is mechanized, with each random pop triggering a system of kitchen utensils inspired by Bauhaus design to produce sound.
Moritz Simon Geist developed this music performance (as an instagram video) during the pandemic, and he turned it into a composition based on randomness and without the need for human interaction. The resulting performance, driven entirely by the unpredictable nature of popping corn, stands in contrast to traditional, human-controlled music-making. The rhythms generated are not programmed and not predetermined, and are aligning with the spontaneity found in jazz—a comparison Geist acknowledges by referring to the work as "Beyond Human Jazz."
For the reinterpretation of this work, Geist used Bauhaus-style ceramic kitchen and household utensils from the old GDR (East Germany), incorporating both the elegance of Wilhelm Wagenfeld's designs and items from the renowned GDR ceramics manufacturer Kahla, known for its iconic Zwiebelmuster (onion pattern). These design elements are deeply rooted in the influential design traditions of pre-WWII Germany, and their inclusion reflects a historical continuity that Geist integrates into his contemporary artistic practice.
The technical implementation of Popcorn Robot involves self-developed music robots, designed by Geist and his team, which use motors to trigger various objects in the kitchen-based sound system. These robots operate with MIDI sensors that detect the moments when popcorn kernels pop. This combination of mechanical and electronic components allows for an autonomous and spontaneous generation of sound, driven purely by the unpredictable timing of the popcorn pops. The result is a unique auditory experience where technology and randomness coexist in the creation of music.
The artwork's viral success, with over 16 million views, is in part due to its playful engagement with themes of nostalgia, automation and the digital-physical divide. Geist's transition from classical to electronic music is reflected in this piece, which also shows the artist's interest in the physicality of sound production.
Artist's Biography
Moritz Simon Geist is a music producer and researcher working with sound, robotics and algorithms. Beginning his academic career in semiconductor sciences as a PhD student, Geist made a career shift to focus on art and music, where he now merges sound with robotics and algorithms. His approach to electronic music, which involves creating sound through mechanical robots, has earned him international recognition.
In 2012, Geist's first work, the "Drum Robot MR-808," went viral, and he has since explored the sound making and producing of electronic music with robots and mechanics as well as releasing many influential and viral works.
Geist's compositions are influenced by a broad range of musical styles, including various electronic music genres and classical music, creating a unique and experimental sound. Over the years, he has collaborated with a range of renowned artists, including Mouse On Mars, Tyondai Braxton, Robert Lippok, and Thieß Mynther. His work has been showcased at many international venues and events such as the Venice Biennale, South by Southwest (SXSW), the Philharmonie de Paris, and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. He has also presented his work in Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
From 2017 - 2020 he held a master class at the NYU Berlin. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards, such as the ISEA Conference 2024, the Working Grant ZER01NE Seoul in 2023, German Pop Music Prize 2022, and the VIA VUT Award in 2019.
Photography of the Designer (high resolution of 300dpi)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/moritzsimongeist/sets/72157699893327165/with/41208635350/
Photography of the Work (high resolution of 300dpi)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/moritzsimongeist/53975835459/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/moritzsimongeist/53975757653/
Website / Social Media Accounts