Carlos Martorell (Shoeg)

Carlos Martorell is a Barcelona-based sound and visual artist known for his exploration of the intricate relationships between humans and technology, as well as the interplay between motion and sound. His diverse body of work encompasses a wide range of research topics, including instruments and interfaces, gesture and biometric data, biomusicology, videogames, and nature. One of Carlos's notable achievements is the development of his own instruments, primarily utilizing motion sensors and non-traditional MIDI equipment, adding a compelling physical dimension to his live shows. His visual work showcases his proficiency with various media languages, game engines, and 3D acquisition techniques such as photogrammetry or scanning; more recently he has delved into immersive shows and artificial intelligence. His main solo project, Shoeg, focuses on exploring the relationship between motion and sound. Over the past years he has presented live performances and released albums on labels like Orange Milk (Hard Fork, 2022 / Container, 2018), Arkestra Discos (Cross Section, 2024), 901 Editions (The Swarm, 2018), Third Kind Records (Milk, 2022) and Nyapster (Faith Exotica, 2018). The project began as a (spiritual) sound collage that quickly branched off in other directions, but retains its essence: the juxtaposition of materials and everything that appears in between — not only in collision but also in coexistence and transition, in change. He has lent his visual expertise to artur m puga's live AV shows and explored immersive spaces with Ana Drucker on projects such as EXO (2022) and Decay (2023), plus fulldome shows for MMMAD Festival and MUTEK Montréal. He has performed at Sónar+D, MIRA Festival, SONICA Glasgow, LEV Festival, MUTEK Mexico, Eufònic and Keroxen, among others. Between 2020 and 2022 he developed ACTE DE FE ('Act of Faith'), combining real-time AI assistance in a liturgical performance interrogating our relationship with machines. He has collaborated with dancer Anna Hierro since 2013 as Ensemble Topogràfic (using motion capture in Two Islands / 'Dues Illes' and in VOID with drummer David Viñolas), currently accompanies poet Maria Sevilla in La nit ovípara, and takes part in Goigs posthumans by Anna Pantinat. He has also produced commissioned music for dance companies (Laia Santanach, Miquel Barcelona, Kernel Dance Theater, La Taimada, Núria Guiu) and runs the experimental label/framework Corda.