In my classes with Professor Erkki Huhtamo, I’ve come across many radical and experimental media artist and electronic musicians who were perhaps too far ahead in their time. And as a result, they remain relatively unknown in todays art world. These artists and their works remains interesting and relevant in this time and age. I’ve decided to also blog about them in addition to the new works to remind us of these pioneers who in my opinion are really amazing. One of these artists is Erkki Kurenniemi, finnish media artist, electronic musician and film maker.

Erkki Kurenniemi (born 1941) is one of the unsung heroes among those who were experimenting and creating art with technology. He is best known for his series of synthesizers DIMI which he built for himself or others as a volunteer assistant in the department of Musicology at the University of Helsinki, and as designer at Digelius Electronics Finland Oy, founded in 1970.

DIMI-O (1970-1971) 
One of my favorite pieces by Kurenniemi, DIMI-O is an electronic synthesizer that translates movements into real time sound and music. Note that this is 16 years before David Rokeby’s Very Nervous System (1986).
 

 
Besides working in the field of media arts and electronic music, Kurenniemi also contributed and worked with short films and video. Computer Music and Electronics in the world of tomorrow are 2 shorts depicting techno fetishism and aesthetics coupled with his electronic music.