Home > Kunstenaars

Jonas Althaus

sociaal-maatschappelijk , internationaal , interactief , installatie , Experimenteel , Ecologie , Documentair , Digitale technologie , Artistiek onderzoek

Jonas Althaus is an artist focusing on social interfaces and variants of human-technology interaction and communication. Topics like embedded values in technologies, automated living environments and distance in the age of connectivity crystallize in various objects and installations. These bridges between digital- and physical realms sensually enrich and inspire their audiences.

Washi Futurism
Washi Futurism - The Sample book and AR app form an innovative dual format to dive into traditional Japanese papermaking. Based on a research trip to two craft workshops, they blend tactile, practical, and cultural insights—enriched by immersive audiovisual layers like tutorials and 360º videos. Ranging from 14 original paper samples to interactive videos—the publication appeals to a wide range of senses. Several pages of the book are recognized by a custom developed augmented reality (AR) application: When scanned, the paper samples e.g. reveal microscopic close-ups and modifications (e.g. water absorption). With such seamless transitions between physical and virtual media the book pioneers in the field of hybrid forms of publication.
Washi Cosmos
Washi Cosmos - This work was part of a group exhibition about the future — seen through the lens of tra­di­tional paper­making. Five sheets of paper surrounded by custom-made LED light rings are suspended in a diagonal formation. Working with choreographic light brings each sheet of washi to life, without moving them: Suddenly the front one lights up, and a shimmer flits along the row from one paper to the next, barely perceptible, an ephemeral flash. After this prelude the light continues to amplify characteristics like fibre structure of each type of paper. This spectacle is particularly visible for visitors walking down the aisle, immersing themselves in the washi cosmos.
Washi Exploratory - Cross-Cultural Artistic Collaboration (2022) - A collaborative project between Netherland based Artists Jonas Althaus, Martina Huynh Satomi Minoshima and Pauline Agustoni and the two Japanese Paper (=washi) makers So Kubota and Masaru Nishita. Their shared goal was to engage in an artistic exploration of the (im)material qualities of washi, challenging and transforming the nostalgic narrative often associated with handmade materials. By presenting washi in an experimental, contemporary context, the artists aim to inspire a deeper appreciation for traditional crafts, seen not as relics of the past, but as integral components of our shared future. The final outcome of an interactive installation was shown at MONO Japan in Amsterdam - a craft and design fair for Japanese products. Next to their commercial fair, they also hosted an art exhibition to encourage exchange between Dutch and Japanese makers, which our collective took part in.
Washi Exploratory – Cross-Cultural Artistic Collaboration (2022) - Four strips showcasing processing techniques which reveal hidden emanations and qualities of the paper: (1) folding; (2) embossing; (3) collaging and gluing of different Sekishu washi types; and (4) a blend of laser cutting and weaving;
Forensic Undergrowth (2022) - An interactive installation by collaborating artists Martina Huynh, Jonas Althaus and Lindsey Bundle. Set against the debate on the A27 extension near Utrecht, this project amplifies the perspectives of animals, human organizations, and plants in and around the Amelisweerd forest. The work was developed for the GARDENING exhibition at Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd, organized by Creative Coding Utrecht.
Forensic Undergrowth (2022) - The interactive court hearing invites visitors of teh exhibition to engage with pieces of eco-forensic “video evidence” and experience testimonies from key stakeholders. Through this multivocal debate, the project reveals the complex realities of living in more-than-human communities, offering a fresh perspective on the ongoing legal battles over Amelisweerd.
Bird Gaze (2021) - An artistic intervention that invites viewers to explore Rotterdam through the eyes of its avian residents. At its core a series of 360° videos and poetic introspections of pigeons, starlings, and other city-dwelling birds, offering a unique glimpse into their experiences and interactions with the urban environment. Initiated during a masterclass at the Independent School For the City, led by urban historians Crimson and landscape architect Dirk Sijmons, the project emerged from a realization that urban planning often overlooks non-human perspectives. The common view of the city as a purely human construct is a misconception, as nature and urban life are deeply intertwined.
Bird Gaze (2021) - Around the central station of the city the artist placed information boards inviting passersby to tune in to the view of several bird species, to hear about their worries and customs in relation to Rotterdam. For the full experience, start the video playlist in the YouTube app in full screen, put on headphones and rotate your phone / pull the 360° video with your mouse if watching in browser.
Sensory Washi (2019) - In a world where heritage faces the dilemma of preservation versus innovation, Sensory Washi seeks to explore a blend of both. As part of an Artist in Residence programme in 2019, Jonas Althaus embarked on a collaborative journey with Japanese paper artisans, infusing the traditional paper (=washi) with modern technological elements: A slightly adapted recipe transforms the paper into sensitive, electricity-conductive surfaces responsive to touch, proximity, and humidity. The first manifestation of this artistic endeavor is a touch-interactive glowing room divider. This prototype, a seamless fusion of washi, Japanese woodcraft and digital technology transcends traditional boundaries. It harnesses the ethereal interplay of light and paper, offering a novel sensory experience that bridges ancient craftsmanship with futuristic aesthetics.
Sensory Washi (2019) - A slightly adapted recipe transforms the traditionally produced paper into sensitive, electricity-conductive surfaces responsive to touch, proximity, and humidity.
4 -D News (2019) - An interactive installation by artists Martina Huynh and Jonas Althaus that reimagines news consumption. Inspired by cubism, it presents past and present news stories on a single canvas, allowing visitors to navigate and trigger events using physical objects. This dynamic interface reveals how news reporting styles and event interpretations have evolved over the years, inviting viewers to explore deeper contextual layers and recurring patterns in media discourse.
4 -D News (2019) - (Part 1) Over 20 original articles from Süddeutsche Zeitung, evolve dynamically as visitors scroll through a timeline to explore the shifting meanings of Angela Merkel’s phrase “Wir schaffen das” in German media from 2015 to the present. (Part 2)A physical time-slider can be used to navigate Dutch media coverage of Aleppo from 1990 to 2019, revealing changing perceptions of the city amid the conflict and prompting critical reflection on media portrayals and narratives.

Book Launch "Washi Futurism"

Datum:
Locatie: Nieuwe Instituut
In samenwerking met: Martina Huynh, Pauline Agustoni, Satomi Minoshima

Kunstenaar duo's Cream on Chrome (Martina Huynh, Jonas Althaus) en Craft Portrait (Pauline Agustoni, Satomi Minoshima) lanceren hun nieuwe boek Washi Futurism. Daarin onderzoeken ze hoe het traditionele Japanse ambacht van washi-papier maken zich ontwikkelt en ook vandaag nog weet te inspireren. Tijdens de boeklancering delen de makers hoogtepunten uit het boek en geven een exclusief kijkje achter de schermen van hun onderzoek.

https://nieuweinstituut.nl/events/washi-futurism-book-launch

Environmental Stock Exchange

Datum:
Locatie: STRP Festival
In samenwerking met: Martina Huynh

"Can the frenzy for financial profit be turned into an obsession for environmental concerns?" With The Environmentalist Stock Exchange, ACT Award 2022 winner Cream on Chrome shows a trading simulation where visitors metaphorically “invest” in species and ecosystem services. Each of these actions feeds into the simulation, causing the chosen species to thrive. The installation uses the language of stock markets to initiate a conversation about value systems.

https://strp.nl/updates/lets-act-cream-on-chrome

A Non-Human Stroll Through Town

Datum:
Locatie: Hoftplaats
In samenwerking met: Independent School for The City, Crimson Architectural Historians

This public intervention raised awareness of non-human residents of the city of Rotterdam through a series of videos and audio tours. Around the central station of the city we placed information boards inviting passers-by to tune in to the view of several bird species, to hear about their worries and customs in relation to Rotterdam. For the full experience, scan the QR code below, start the video in the YouTube app in full screen and put on headphones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO473xEHWZI&list=PLWpHUiTDST0f2ylkkEKnifSUsRFB1ABss&index=3

Proxies on Trial

Datum:
Locatie: MU Hybrith Art House
In samenwerking met: Martina Hunyh, Sergi Casero

Proxies on Trial is an interactive court performance where Globalisation is accused of consuming the future. Through questions appearing on their phones, the audience joins in as the Grand Jury, who will ultimately weigh the debts of Globalization and ponder over its responsibilities. What will Globalization say to defend itself?

https://jonas-althaus.com/proxies/

Artist in Residency Programme

Datum:
In samenwerking met: Masaru Nishida, So Kubota, MONO JAPAN

In 2019 Jonas Althaus participated in the MONO JAPAN residency program in 2019. This initiative fosters cultural collaborations between Japanese craftsmen and Dutch creatives. After being selected, Althaus flew to Japan for a two-month residency to learn about traditional papermaking. In Misumi he gained first-hand experience in the craft and in close collaboration developed a unique conductive paper: Turning it into sensors receptive to touch, proximity, and air humidity (see 'Sensory Washi').

https://www.monojapan.nl/mj-air-2019
Deze kunstenaar heeft nog geen toekenningen.