242.pilots

242.pilots were a live video improvisation ensemble consisting of HC Gilje, Kurt Ralske and Lukasz Lysakowski, which performed at various international festivals and venues between 2001 and 2004.
Utilizing their own custom software, 242.pilots expressively improvise rich, layered video works in real-time (both as a trio, and as soloists). The performance software created by Gilje, Lysakowski, and Ralske allows video to be controlled on-the-fly in a fluid and expressive manner. Improvising as a group, the three artists respond to and interact with each other's images in a subtle and intuitive way. Images are layered, contrasted, merged, and transformed. The degree of interplay and unspoken communication between the artists is akin to the best free jazz ensembles.
242.pilots invited various musicians to create the live soundtrack for the performance. Collaborators have included: Justin Bennett, Kelly Davis, Tim Hecker.
In 2002 they released a DVD on New York label Carpark Records, based on a performance recorded in Brussels. The following year the DVD won the image award at Transmediale in Berlin.