This was NODE SESSION III – Laser Eyes

The third edition of the NODE SESSIONS brought The NODE Institute back to Monopol Berlin, supported by Derivative, PlusPlusOne, LaserAnimation Sollinger, and Monopol itself. As one of the city’s most vibrant spaces for light and media art, Monopol again proved an ideal home—surrounded by resident artists and known for hosting some of Berlin’s most striking media installations. The event provided an inspiring environment for creators exploring light art, experience design, creative coding, and interactive media.

Catatumbo Lab, based at Monopol, introduced itself to the audience and invited everyone to their upcoming open studio. They also announced a TouchDesigner hangout that they would be hosting shortly after NODE SESSIONS III.

Jimmz Zhang opened the program, sharing insights from TEA community and Digital FUN. He highlighted how both initiatives connect education, research, and industry in digital art and technology. Jimmz discussed the FLARE International New Media Art Festival, the largest independent new media festival in China, and TEA’s efforts to make TouchDesigner more accessible, including the publication of the first comprehensive Chinese-language TouchDesigner book and toolkit. His talk provided a detailed view of international collaborations and the evolving landscape of interactive media.

Michael Sollinger, originally planned as a speaker, had to cancel, which led to Harshini Karunaratne conducting interviews with artists whose installations—supported by LaserAnimation Sollinger—were on display throughout the evening. The conversations offered first-hand perspectives on creative processes, technical innovation, and the role of laser technology in contemporary media art. These interviews highlighted the diverse approaches artists take to merge technology with expressive, immersive experiences.

Katharina Geiger concluded the talks with a presentation on MiMU Gloves, wearable instruments that allow performers to sculpt sound and interaction through intuitive gestures. Her session included a hands-on demo, which many visitors enjoyed trying themselves. By showcasing how gesture-based interfaces can transform performance, Katharina highlighted the expressive potential of new tools at the intersection of music, technology, and interactive design.

The evening culminated in INFINITE VISAGE, a live audiovisual performance conceived in 2025 by EAU and Jimmz. The piece explored shifting thresholds of perception, weaving sound, light, and laser into a continuously transforming sensory landscape. Rather than depicting the visible world, the work generated an elastic field of impressions—laser cutting through space, sound bending temporal perception, and visual textures dissolving into fluid states of becoming. It offered an immersive journey that invited the audience to experience perception as a dynamic, ever-reforming act.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees for joining NODE SESSIONS III and making it such an inspiring evening. Special thanks go to Monopol Berlin, Derivative, LaserAnimation Sollinger, PlusPlusOne GmbH, Jose Alarcon, Izzy Benigno, and Stefano Canavese for their generous support. For those who couldn’t attend in person, we invite you to experience the event by viewing the recording on YouTube.

The NODE SESSIONS III are supported by:

Derivative / derivative.ca
Monopol Berlin / monopol-berlin.com
PlusPlusOne GmbH / plusplus.one

All images by Izzy Benigno 2025