In the live performance Still Alive, Berchtold records his body sounds at the throat, heart and abdomen with three stethoscopes and transmits them in real time to the room via a stage amplifier with loudspeakers. After a few minutes, he begins to hold a fourth amplified stethoscope to the heart of individual visitors.
Still Alive | LivePerformance with 4 stethoscopes, 4 wireless contact microphones, audio mixer, amplifier, speakers | Video: René Beryère
Artist Statement:
I was curious to see if, possibly, the heart rate would reciprocally adjust. In one case, it actually happened, with artist Tanja Ostojić, who was sitting in the audience at the 13th Performance Conference. It was the first attempt ever. The more the frequencies converged, the more a swelling hum built up. After that, however, it never happened again.
seen @ 13. Performance Konferenz Die Kunst der Handlung, Tesla Berlin
Photo: Roger Drescher