don`t shoot the messenger

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melbourne australia

Kalaidescopic clouds of computer animation spill from huge screens, multilayered hypnotising colours, shapes and echoes of shapes writhing in the mix with pounding techno. This is "Don`t Shoot the Messenger", bringing live art to rave parties.

Art created from Virtual Reality graphics, made by the Messengers, mixed live on the night.

"The Messenger is about digital meditation", says Till Messenger. "Real-time feedback between the Messenger, the environment and the audience can induce a contemplative state we call 'digital meditation."

Mix together equal portions of computer genius, film and television expertise, awesome animation skills and a large scoop of passion and you might just come up with an outfit like this pioneering visuals crew. Then you`d need just that extra little bit to take the show off the dance floor and into the Art Gallery.

"We`ve exhibited at a few galleries," admits Steve Messenger. The National Gallery, Scienceworks, The Next Wave Festival, Experimenta and the Museum of Modern Art have all witnessed performances by these far-out ravers at different times.

The Messengers also 'admit' to performing with some of the world`s great techno artists over the last ten years.

For Steve Messenger, the old argument that technology in general, and techno music in particular, is a soul-less product of our post-modern age is a misinformed one.

"Dance is sacred and liberating, an expression of our souls. The music contains the physical dance, and our visuals are for your mind to dance to."

-Trish Maunder, Beat Magazine

management by MUD, Perth, Australia