Earlier work
Astraal
Astraal was my alias as a VJ. What began with live visuals for a self-organised event collective grew into a much broader lesson in making things happen together.
Context
I first encountered KURZUNDSCHMAL through one of its large DIY parties in Dresden. Everyone contributed the skills they had, and I wanted to become part of it. I started learning VJ software and developing a visual language that worked with the music and the atmosphere of the events.
My role
I joined the core crew and took responsibility beyond the screen. The collective work included discussing artists, contacting agencies, negotiating contracts, organising equipment and accommodation, designing artwork, promoting events, arranging security, and coordinating teams.
These were shared responsibilities. Astraal was my visual contribution, but the events themselves came from many people working together.
From the club to larger stages
The live-visual work continued beyond KURZUNDSCHMAL. As Astraal, I was invited to perform at festivals including SonneMondSterne and Nachtiville. Three videos document the visuals in different contexts: a general showcase, a KURZUNDSCHMAL performance in Dresden, and SonneMondSterne Festival in 2015.
What was created
Astraal became a visual identity and a body of live visuals performed in clubs and at festivals. The work responded to the music in real time and gave each performance a visual layer of its own. Within KURZUNDSCHMAL, it also became part of the collective production of complete event nights.
Looking back
Astraal was not only about live visuals. Working inside a self-organised collective made design one part of a much larger system: artists, budgets, equipment, safety, schedules, and teams all had to come together for one night. That experience broadened how I understood responsibility for creative work. The image matters, but so does everything that allows it to exist.