Martin Messier

Martin Messier (born in 1979) is a multidisciplinary, electronic musician, performer, and video maker artist. Born in Montreal, Canada, he specializes in establishing an interaction between the synthetic and mechanical sounds with the help of digital processing and programming. Messier delivers live performances using objects, music, and videos by interlocking the images and sounds present. He is best known as a Magician who specializes in giving voice to the materials by furnishing them with sound waves and movements.
In 2010, Messier established 14 lieux, which is a company focussed towards producing sound works for their clients stage performances. He currently serves as the general and artistic director at 14 lieux.
==Career==
After completing his graduation in electroacoustic composition from the University of Montreal, Messier started experimenting with sounds and tried integrating them with the images. He was successful in developing audiovisual equipment that could help him in bringing the various sounds from everyday objects to the stage. He also holds a diploma in drums for jazz interpretation.
During the span of 15 years career, Messier has performed in over 50 countries and collaborated with several artists namely, Elie Blanchard, Nicolas Bernier, Jacques Poulin-Denis, Caroline Laurin-Beaucage, and Anne Theriault. 
Messier’s productions have been credited with several nominations and prizes including, Best Experimental Short Film at the Lausanne Underground Film Festival, the World OMOSIROI Award in Japan, and the Canada Council’s Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award.
Messier is also a renowned performer at several international festivals and events, including Mutek, Mois Multi, FTA, Transmediale, TodaysArt and Sonar. He is also a member of Perte de Signal, an artist’s centre.
==Artistic approach==
Messier specializes in bringing life to the sounds produced by everyday objects. The objects can be living, movable or inert such as alarm clocks, sewing machines, pen, pencil, projectors, ultrasound machine or different kinds of other machines. His stage shows are best at establishing a synchronicity between the sounds with the lights and shadow while keeping the body at front.
He establishes an interaction between the synthetic and mechanical sounds with the help of digital processing and programming. He uses audiovisual apparatuses to showcase an integration between the sounds generated by the objects with the visual elements in a precise manner.
Messier uses objects that have their own life and sound. He has used machines made of gears and cranks in his work La chambre des machines, which has received a distinction at the prestigious Ars Electronica. He is seen using the sound generated by audiovisual devices like sewing machines and projectors in his work Sewing Machine Orchestra and Projectors. In his collaboration with renowned artist Elie Blanchard for his composition Ashes, they have showcased how different materials burn down into ashes, exploring the notions of disappearance and waste. His recent composition Echo Chamber is inspired by two different medical practices, acupuncture, and ultrasound. He has also worked on projects using elements from Intelligent Dance Music, folk and acoustic to develop live performances.
==Projects==
===Performance projects===
* 2022- Elusive Matter
* 2020- Echo Chamber
* 2015- Field
* 2018- Ashes
* 2014- Projectors
* 2010- Sewing Machine Orchestra
* 2010- La chambre des machines
===Installation projects===
* 2017- Impulse
* 2015- Boite n2022- Con Sordinaoire
* 2011- Sewing Machine Orchestra
===Choreographic projects===
* 2022- Con Sordina
* 2019- Innervision 
* 2017- Corps Mort
* 2016- Con Grazia
* 2011- Derrière le rideau, il fait peut-être nuit
* 2011- Hit and fall
==Albums==
* 2007 - et si l'aurore disait oui
==Awards and recognitions==
* Ars Electronica, honorary Mention
* Athens Digital Art Festival, 2nd prize for an online performance
* Best Experimental Short Film at the Lausanne Underground Film Festival 
* The World OMOSIROI Award in Japan
* Japan Media Art Awards
* The Canada Council’s Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award.
==Gallery==
==In the media==
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==References==
==External links==
* Official website
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* Martin Messier on Vimeo
* Martin Messier on Discogs
* Martin Messier on Mutek
* Martin Messier on Tentacular
Category:1979 births
Category:Electronic musicians
Category:Performers
Category:Video artists