I have been working with 3D stereoscopic narrative forms for two years now and it struck me that this new technology is not offset by adequate content. In most cases, the 2D stories are being combined with 3D effects – that is comparable to providing a silent movie with an audio track.

My work based on two hypotheses:
Firstly, this new technology can only achieve authenticity if the room (topos) is offered importance (meaning) in the script and project development already. Secondly, in stereoscopy one can no longer work with images (frames), for the technology requires a thinking in stages.

In addition, besides the construction of suspense or tension in time we also have to consider the tension of space – such as the vertical, horizontal and parallax tension.

These considerations led to the foundation of the worldwide first 3D Content research institute, the "Expanded 3 Digitally Cinema Laboratory" located between the Hochschule für Gestaltung (College of Arts) in Karlsruhe and the Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie (centre for art and media technology) | ZKM.

In the E3DCL 3D the first 3D storytelling theory and the first 3D-story model were developed that is since being applied.

Soon I realised that the implications of 3D stereoscopic displays are exceeding my area of expertise – art –, and that it will especially become important in the simulation and presentation of scientific data in mathematics, engineering and medicine as far as climate research. Therefore, I formed the Karlsruher 3D-Allianz (Karlsruhe 3D alliance) with the relevant universities and scientific institutions in Karlsruhe.

First lectures at international Conferences and in institutions, such as the research centres of Disney, the new UFA etc., sparked such a drive that I founded the European Educational Programme “Screen Space” with the National Film School in London and the leading schools of film in Europe. Additionally, I formed an international syndicate with the leading universities and research institutions in Hong Kong, Singapore, Vancouver, New South Wales etc.

Our attempts to find an event which relates the different aspects of the new audio-visual 3D rooms in the area of Science, research, art, culture, entertainment, gaming etc., remained widely unsuccessful. Consequently, we founded the worldwide leadoff 3D-festival BEYOND, which took place markedly successful in late May, 2011 in Karlsruhe.

Here we succeeded in realising the worldwide first 3D-Live-Streaming on the internet, which was perceived by more than 5,000 international users.

During the BEYOND festival it became clear that the 3D-technology will hold sway in science and in the area of consuming. By the end of the decade we anticipate the aperture of the auto stereoscopy (3D without glasses) as the leading audio-visual technology.

This technology is not only facing a currently still unfortunate lack of 3D relevant content, but, above all, a lack of training facilities.

We are currently checking the accreditation of the worldwide first course of study of creative stereo copy at my institute at the Hochschule für Gestaltung (college of arts) in Karlsruhe.

Prof. Ludger Pfanz über BEYOND:

Dreidimensionale Zukunfts-Perspektiven in Karlsruhe


Willkommen zu BEYOND, dem ersten internationalen Symposium, das die Möglichkeiten und Auswirkungen der neuen dreidimensionalen visuellen Techniken in künstlerischen und wissenschaftlichen Bereichen untersucht. Es ist die Fortführung des im Mai 2011 von der Karlsruher 3D-Allianz erfolgreich durchgeführten Festivals BEYOND und versammelt vom 21. bis 24 Juni 2012 die wichtigsten nationalen und internationalen Künstler und Innovatoren in diesem Bereich. Mit dieser Veranstaltung im ZKM und der HfG will die 3D-Allianz Karlsruhe ihre Führungsposition in der Forschung zur 3D Anwendung weiter ausbauen. Als Praxisteil zum Symposium veranstalten das „Expanded 3Digital Cinema Laboratory“ an der Hochschule für Gestaltung gemeinsam mit der „ Neuen Road Movie“ Berlin einen Workshop für HfG-Studenten und internationale Regisseure mit dem Team des mehrfach ausgezeichneten 3D-Filmes „PINA“ - unter anderem mit dem Regisseur Wim Wenders und dem Produzenten Erwin Schmidt. BEYOND versteht sich als ein Format, das in der Kombination von Technologie, Wissenschaft und Kunst nicht nur den aktuellen Stand der Forschung konstatiert, sondern auch die Zukunft aktiv gestaltet.
Eine Alternative zu Zukunftsangst und Gegenwartsmüdigkeit.

Prof. Ludger Pfanz

Contact information:
Prof. Ludger Pfanz
Expanded 3Digital Cinema Laboratory
Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung
Lorenzstrasse 15
D - 76135 Karlsruhe

+49 (0) 721 8203 2328
pfanz@hfg-karlsruhe.de