Mikael Brain - Portrait XO - Sittin on a / Wire

Artist: Mikael Brain
Title: Portrait XO - Sittin on a / Wire

Sittin on a / Wire is a double music video combining the first two songs from Portrait XO’s debut album Wire. The LP comprises a series of duets between the artist and their second self: a machine generated version of their voice that sings lines and melodies never uttered by the artist themselves.

In producing the work, we wanted to tap into the call-and-response idea: the main character is searching for their second self, a part of them forever missing. Two halves create an entirety, and like all of us walking this planet, the character yearns to be whole.

Realising the concept and script took place in the dying weeks of the 2021 winter in Berlin, just weeks before the Covid dilemma arose. After a number of subsequent delays, filming ultimately took place during a short break between lockdowns. We spent much time scouring for suitable studios and forest locations in Germany and Austria, but ultimately chose a studio location in Kreuzberg and a forest around 90 minutes drive from Berlin. Post-production required patience, as the work’s concept morphed and matured as AI technology caught up to our full vision and ultimately enabled us to achieve it.

Portrait XO (she/they) is an independent researcher and transdisciplinary artist.  Recently awarded jazzki award by ELBJAZZ (June 2023), the first German human-AI jazz prize, she’s been recognized over the years for her work in sonic innovation with AI audio pioneers Dadabots.  They won ‘Best Experiment’ award at VUT Indie Awards 2021, and Eurovision AI Song Contest Jury Vote for ‘most creative use of AI’ in 2020.  She has performed, presented, and exhibited at SXSW, Ars Electronica, MONOM, Reeperbahn Festival, International Music Summit, Amsterdam Dance Event, BBA Gallery, RE:PUBLICA, Sonar+D, Factory Berlin, Tech Open Air, Redbull Music, Future Forum by BMW Welt, KIKK Festival, Github, and more.

Mikael Brain is a screen director, cinematographer and writer presently based in Melbourne. While Mikael's creative oeuvre leans towards content that analyses the course of justice, or alternately the absurd, serene or technologically innovative, he also works for an array of clients in both Australia and Europe following a nine-year stint in Berlin. His work has screened at the Rotterdam Int’l Film Festival, ICA London, NGV Melbourne, at exhibitions at Tate Modern, and on free-to-air TV in Austria and Germany.

www.schwarzandlux.com.au
www.portraitxo.space