Luftwerk is an artistic collaborative that explores and creates projection designs and experiences. Luftwerk constructs innovative uses of video projections that transform surfaces and environments into a moving and illuminated canvas. Luftwerk sculpts an environment / event with the audio and visual structure of technology, the lumens of video projection merging with elements that encompass the ephemeral and temporal

Petra Bachmaier earned a BFA in 1999 from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and in 2000 she earned an MFA from the Hamburg Academy of Arts with special honors. Sean Gallero, originally from New York City, received a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1999. Since 2000, both artists have collaborated in creating multiple art installations. They have gained recognition in various art forms over the years ranging from filmmaking, digital imaging, graphic and sound art, performance as well as sculpture. Their choice of focusing on multi-media installations and projection designs came as a natural evolution where their varied skills flow together to create a contemporary form of expression.

Projects + links

2009  Seacurrence • video projection installation & mixed media• Audible @ ESS • Chicago
2009  Treeline and Adrift • The Diorama Show • Home Gallery • Hyde Park • Chicago
2009  Featherlight (working title) • feather chandelier video installation • MASS MoCA 10th anniversary ball • North Adams, MA
2009  Salonabend • open studio salon night • sponsored by the German American Chambers of Commerce • Chicago
2009  Convergence • 2 channel video installation • Art Chicago VIP Reception curated by i4design • MCA Warehouse
2009  Pepper's Ghost • video installation • Carnaval by Collaboraction • West Grand Studios • Chicago
2009  Seablossoms • 1 channel video installation/sculpture • The Elysian Ball • Christophe Gauspohl & Angela Eve • Chicago
2008  Earthly Tongues • Hedwig Dances • video backdrop and body projections• Ruth Page Theater • Chicago
2008  Adrift • 1 channel video projection, site-specific installation w/ Christophe Gauspohl • part of Descours • New Orleans
2008  Seablossoms • 4 channel video projection installation/sculpture • Chicago • private commission
2008  Convergence • 1 channel video projection • SMart New Media Festival • Grand Rapids, Michigan
2007  Adrift • 3 channel video projection w/sound • The Chicago Cultural Center • Chicago
2007  Convergence • 1 channel video projection • New Media Lounge • Around the Coyote, curated by Livebox • Chicago
2007  Humble Sky • multimedia installation w/sound and video • Caro d'Offay Gallery • Chicago
2006  Against the Membrane • window projection • Caro d'Offay Gallery • Chicago
2006  Green Line • window projection w/Theaster Gates • Southside Chicago
2006  Doppelganger • interactive video installation • Hyde Park Art Center • Chicago
2005  Convergence • 4 channel video installation w/sound • Open End • Chicago
2004  Glentown • window slide installation • Former Naval Air station • Glenview, Illinois • Gelman Events
2003  Laborosa • performance installation • Urban Rituals Festival Tanzinitiative Hamburg • Hamburg, Germany
2003  Skywall • video installation w/ice and sound • Chicago • private commission
2003  When Heaven Melts • slide installation w/ice and sound • Buddy’s Exhibition Space • Chicago
2001  Luft – Triologo • audio installation/performance • CAN Gallery • Chicago
2000  Sea Light in the Night • Super-8 film installation • Seamann's Mission • Hamburg, Germany