Moritz Simon Geist

Moritz Simon Geist is a sound artist, music producer, and researcher exploring robotics, algorithms, and sonic experiences. Trained in classical music and electrical engineering, Geist shifted from semiconductor research to a pioneering practice in mechanical sound art. He is internationally known for creating robotic instruments that perform electronic music in real time, transforming code and circuitry into tactile, resonant experiences.

His breakout work, “MR-808,” a robotic drum machine, went viral in 2012 and set the stage for numerous installations, performances, and collaborations with artists like Mouse on Mars and Tyondai Braxton. Geist’s work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, SXSW, and Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, and has received awards, including the VIA VUT Award and ISEA 2024.

With works like “Hard Times—Soft Sounds,” Geist turns inward, using minimal mechanics and natural materials to reflect on stillness, presence, and the poetics of resonance in an accelerating world.