Former Self
2024, Ongoing
dear former self…
Maria Finkelmeier combines her extensive training in contemporary percussion and marimba performance with electronic dance music, singing and improvisation to create a playful and distinctive storytelling experience.
Former Self is a evening length solo performance piece that features eight original compositions inspired by a series of notes from Maria to her former selves, ranging from cautionary tales to stories of resilience
Former Self utilizes video projection featuring generative animations controlled by Maria’s movements onstage. An extension of her work to memorialize the ephemeral, the visual webs change with each performance, mirroring and accentuating ever-changing human touch.
Visual art and environments for each of the pieces on the program have been created and co-designed by Supreetha Krishnan. Supreetha’s work explores how extended reality interactions can enhance audience participation and community building. Her most recent project with the M.I.T. Climate Machine used extended reality practices to bring awareness to environmental change.
The album, engineered by John Escobar and recorded in Spatial Audio, will be released in 2026. This recording technology brings out the full richness of the textures, delivering an immersive listening experience that mirrors the live performance.
Team Credits:
Composer, Performer, Director: Maria Finkelmeier
Visual Artist: Supreetha Krishnan
Digital Web Fabrication: MAD Arts
Recording Engineer: John Escobar
Booking Company: Broadband Collaborative
Photos Courtesy of MassArt Art Museum, by Amy Fink
I’m interested in learning more about Former Self
This project is touring in the 2025/2026 season and beyond. It is suitable for Black Box theaters, procenium venues with lighting and projection capacities, and light/art festivals. We look forward to connecting!