n his way to the Digital Arts Festival in Lahore, German designer and photographer Anton Sahler stopped over in Karachi to illuminate the Goethe-Institut with his synthesising light and sound installation called Gro-unded.

Sahler’s installation explored the themes of electricity, conductivity, and our spiritual connection with planet earth. As people experienced the enchantment of their bodies transforming into instruments, their curiosity ignited a host of questions and interactions in real time.

The technicality of the set up embodied some physics, light, sound, music and the human touch. Anton explains his creation as: “by simply touching two metal balls suspended from an umbrella, the body completes an electrical circuit and the intensity of one’s touch and the moisture on the person’s hands determine the generation of 28 distinct MIDI signals via a sensor. These signals are then used to simultaneously trigger synthesiser sounds and project video content, creating a multi-sensory experience. A gentle touch will trigger the lowest note, resulting in a unique sound and crafting atmospheres rich in contrast.”

Grounded is an electrifying light and sound, hands-on experience controlled by two people touching each other, thus transforming each other’s bodies into signal-producing instruments which feed synthesisers and light projectors.

This event also featured DJ Talha (Toll Crane) and DJ Lyla Saifi who supplemented the installation with their music. It seemed surreal that the new construction (Greenhouse) behind Alliance and the Goethe-Institut also had lights flashing ‘love for the city of Karachi’ to Talha and Saifi’s music.

Sahler states he was thrilled to be invited to Pakistan to showcase his work, a destination he has longed to visit for quite some time: “illuminating Karachi became an unforgettable experience, beginning with a fantastic collaboration with the Goethe-Institut team and concluding with an enthusiastic crowd of inquisitive young individuals, joyfully engaging with light and sound at the mere touch of two or more human bodies,” he noted.

An observation he made on a Saturday night was that he initially explained the installation to a few people, and for the subsequent two hours, people shared their knowledge and experiences with newcomers, answering questions and adding a significant social dimension to the installation. What Sahler finds most gratifying about such a light and sound show is simply observing people revel in joy, curiosity, and their inner child, embracing a sense of liberation.

Simone Lenz, the director of the Goethe-Institut Pakistan referring to the gig said: “the spectacular and sensitive interplay of the three artists, VJ Anthon

Shaler, Dj Lyla Saifi and DJ Toll Crane with the audience transformed the evening far beyond our expectations. Considering that Berlin is also being lit right now, it is almost beaming from Karachi to Berlin.”

Sahler is a Frankfurt-based photographer and light artist who studied architecture and worked as an 3D artist and exhibition designer. His passion for photography rounded up his collection of digital tools which he now uses to create immersive light installations at festivals, concerts, and museums.

He has also been a guest speaker and artist at the four-day Digital Arts Festival 2023 in Lahore, organized in collaboration with the European Cultural Representations and EUNIC in Pakistan, from October 12-15.

The writer is an Assistant Professor at IVS and can be reached at
writing.likhaai@gmail.com