“Now I’m doing everything I feel I should be doing.”
- plutonic mind about her transition from classical musician to making multidisciplinary NFTs
Plutonic mind, a talented artist with a passion for classical piano, composition, and audiovisual art, utilizes specialized recording techniques to create contemporary classical and post-minimalist music that often incorporates kaleidoscopic visuals. However, before she became a self-sustaining multidisciplinary artist, she followed the conventional path of a classical musician. She attended a conservatory and devoted herself to daily practice to hone her skills, with no outside influences from other genres. Despite this, plutonic mind knew that this was not the path she wanted to pursue. In an interview with Nina Knaack, she shares the journey she took to arrive at her current position.
Plutonic mind, a member of the renowned international artist-led collective, The Guild, has gained widespread recognition for her audio-visual artwork and music, which she has published as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Her work has been showcased in galleries in both the physical world and virtual reality. However, plutonic mind's journey to success was not an easy one. As she describes it, "Even though music has been an integral part of my life from an early age, I began playing by chance. My father is an excellent pianist, and as a child, I would sit under the grand piano as he played. When my older brother lost interest in his piano lessons, I implored my parents to let me take his place. That's how it all began when I was just seven years old."
Plutonic mind's love for music continued to grow, and she eventually began learning to play the flute and receiving classical singing lessons in addition to the piano. She quickly realized that music was her calling and decided to devote herself fully to it. As a result, she left secondary school to focus entirely on music and prepare for a career in the field. Fortunately, plutonic mind had the unwavering support of her parents, and at the young age of 17, she became the youngest student at the conservatory. Despite the challenge of majoring in both singing and piano simultaneously, she persisted and successfully graduated. Following that, plutonic mind enrolled at the Hamburg University of Music & Theatre to further her education in music.
Throughout her journey as a musician, plutonic mind was eager to expand her knowledge and skills. She attended various masterclasses in music and received guidance from notable figures such as Alfred Brendel and Sir Andras Schiff. In addition, upon relocating to Hamburg in 2000, she began teaching music herself. According to plutonic mind, teaching is a crucial aspect of being an artist, as it not only allows one to share their knowledge but also enables them to gain new insights into their craft. Through teaching, plutonic mind hopes to prepare future generations of musicians for a world where music transcends disciplinary boundaries.
Plutonic mind has always been fascinated by the vast spectrum of music genres. She questions the notion of classical music being limited to its traditional form and believes in the potential of combining it with other genres. According to her, the conservatory's conventional approach to music education was far too restrictive, with only one prescribed path to follow. As a result, she sought to break free from this narrow mindset by exploring and experimenting with different instruments and tools, such as the synthesizer.
Plutonic mind found herself immersed in a new world of sounds when she first explored the possibilities of a synthesizer. She felt like a child in a candy store, discovering endless new sonic textures and possibilities. With her own vocals on electronic productions, she began to incorporate ambient, classical and electronic elements into her music. This led to regular performances in various duo combinations, including a daily appearance on the German television broadcast show SPACE NIGHT. However, she soon found that her experimentation with electronic music was not appreciated or accepted in the classical music scene, and felt the need to bridge the gap between the two.
The Rabbit Hole
When Spotify entered the music industry, it appeared to be a promising platform for artists to showcase their compositions in their preferred style(s). However, as plutonic mind explains, the need for a significant number of streams to generate income made it less appealing. Moreover, her electronic music career was not well received in the classical music scene, causing her to sell her synthesizer. “The synth also gave me too much choice of sounds in a way,” she says. “I simply wanted to go back to the single sound source of the piano to develop stronger meanings of melodies and harmonies without distraction.” So, plutonic mind did not abandon her passion for music production. Instead, she challenged herself to explore the full potential of the piano by experimenting with its keys and pushing it to its limits. "I wanted to return to the basics and see where the total potential lies with just one instrument."
Towards the end of 2020, a friend of plutonic mind, who is an IT-specialist, introduced her to NFTs and their significance. “Being a curious person, I began exploring this new technology and dove into the rabbit hole headfirst,” she says. In March 2021, she minted her first NFT, an experimental video featuring an analogue approach that relied solely on the piano as the sound source. “I enjoy putting limitations on myself when I create. This restriction actually gives me the freedom to explore and experiment to my heart's content,” she adds.
3RD MOVEMENT SONATA Nº 1
During her NFT creation process, plutonic mind found that this was the solution she had been searching for. "Now I can independently produce and sell my work to my fans. Additionally, I can finally create my own visual designs without needing to consult anyone else." Previously, she had to work with a visual artist to convey her ideas for album covers or live shows. "However, I have always had an interest in visual arts and quickly realized that the visuals can have a profound impact on the sounds. Although they are separate entities, they can communicate more effectively when combined symbiotically. I also have a strong visual sense in my mind while composing and performing music."
Plutonic mind found the perfect platform to showcase her unique combination of classical and electronic sounds and visuals when she discovered Web3 and NFTs. In the past, she never used her real name in relation to her electronic music due to the stigma attached to combining classical and underground genres. However, she believes that the most beautiful compositions come from experimentation and free expression. With NFTs, she finally has the freedom to fully embrace her creativity and showcase her work directly to her fans. Plutonic mind sees NFTs as a first step in bridging the gap between different musical genres and hopes to use her real name in this space soon.
dream recorder
As a teacher, plutonic mind aims to ignite a sense of limitless possibilities in the next generation. "During the lockdown, my students created accompanying videos for their compositions. Their work was exceptional and further reinforced my belief that multidisciplinary collaboration is the future. Imagine the power of combining different art forms in one piece." According to plutonic mind, art, in any form, should provide a sense of liberation. Her mission is to impart this sensation to those experiencing her work. "I hope to create a cozy cocoon where people can relax, let go of their worries, and find inner peace."
Plutonic mind's creative process is deeply rooted in her connection to the world around her. She draws inspiration from her everyday experiences and the sensations they evoke. As she explains, "I soak up everything that surrounds me. Everything I hear also gives me a certain feeling. I experience my reality that way, through the senses. I discover the world through the colors of nature and try to really listen to what is out there." Plutonic mind is attuned to the subtle nuances of nature and finds beauty in the details, like "the sunlight shining on the tree from another angle and the rustling of the wind through the leaves." These sensations serve as the foundation for her music, which is infused with the essence of her daily life.
Plutonic mind creates visuals by taking videos and repurposing them in a kaleidoscopic manner, seeking out symmetry and order. "This way, the viewer has something to ground themselves on while listening to the music. The shapes and colors mirror the composition, resonating with the music like a reflection."
Plutonic mind has evolved from being solely a musician to embracing the term artist. With the advent of Web3, she has been presented with a plethora of new opportunities to showcase her artistic abilities. Her ultimate goal is to create a perfect symbiosis between her art and her way of life, and although minting NFTs has opened up a new avenue for her, she already has several projects lined up that motivate her to continue evolving. Plutonic mind hopes to inspire fellow classical musicians to explore their creativity and venture beyond traditional boundaries. She envisions a world where all genres and forms can coexist and inspire each other.
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