maria mayer

tyoplaya

During my internship at Nachtlicht in Zurich, I contributed to the concept, design, and development of the fog and light installation Tyoplaya for the Zauberwald Lenzerheide. My role involved creating and testing multiple visual concepts, exploring how shapes behave within fog, and evaluating their impact in real-world conditions.

Through this iterative process, the final design evolved into a series of reduced, geometric forms that define the visual language of the installation.

The visuals were created in After Effects, while the sound was composed and arranged in Ableton. The first part of the audio is an original composition, followed by a second section sourced from Artlist, both combined and balanced to create a cohesive sound experience.

The project was realized under the art direction of Xaver Wenzinger, who was responsible for the on-site installation.

Tyoplaya brings together light, fog, and sound to create an immersive spatial experience, focusing on clarity, rhythm, and subtle visual presence.

Click here for the video.

Interactive climate bike

As part of the Interactive Systems course, I created an interactive bicycle for an exhibition on glacier melting. My project demonstrated the effort needed to generate energy and how fossil fuel consumption accelerates climate change.

With a welded custom metal frame, the bike was securely held in place, allowing the rear wheel to spin freely. I also programmed an optical sensor with Arduino to track pedaling motion, sending raw data (0–12,000) to the system. Using a standard weight of 70 kg, I converted this data into kilojoules (kJ) and sent it to TouchDesigner, where it was visualized and projected in real time.

As visitors pedaled, they saw their energy output along with comparisons to fossil fuel CO₂ emissions. Upon reaching a certain kJ level, a new animation appeared, showing how much energy fossil fuels would need to produce the same amount. 
The combination of physical effort, real-time data, immersive sound, and the melting ice block created a powerful, interactive experience that emphasized the urgency of climate action.

These comparisons made the impact of energy consumption tangible. A central element of the exhibition was a 600 kg ice block, which we grew at the SLF (Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research) in Davos. Present in every chapter, it symbolized glacier loss.

FRacture

Fracture

“Fracture” is an audiovisual art installation exploring fractures, destruction, and reconstruction. Our group’s interpretation focused on a house-techno aesthetic, merging high-speed video footage with a driving electronic soundtrack to create an intense and immersive experience. The result is a visually and sonically synchronized triptych where explosive imagery moves in perfect rhythm with the beat.

For the recordings, we spent two days in a quarry working with a demolition expert. Using high-speed cameras, we captured controlled explosions and recorded high-resolution audio. One of my tasks was to film the detonations precisely using a Blackmagic 6K camera.

After selecting the most impactful footage, our team divided responsibilities: video editing, audio production, and 3D elements. In post-production, I was responsible for video editing in Premiere Pro, where I set up the exact dimensions for the triptych and synchronized the three video streams. The editing style was fast-paced and tightly linked to the house-techno beat, featuring rapid cuts, rhythmic motion, and dynamic contrast shifts to enhance the music’s energy.

The sound design was developed from the recorded explosion sounds and integrated with electronic elements to create a driving house-techno track. Additionally, TouchDesigner was used to generate reactive 3D visuals that further intensified the synchronization between sound and image.

Despite challenges such as time constraints and technical adjustments, this project was an invaluable experience. Through my work in video editing, I deepened my ability to craft high-energy audiovisual compositions, merging rhythm, motion, and digital effects into a cohesive, immersive piece.

Project roles:
Video & Editing – maria mayer
Sound & Audio Production – cornelia rüscher
3D Animation – Kathrin Throger

link to the video.

Welder shooting

The Schlosserei Mayer workshop is defined by dark gray tones, cool metal surfaces, and functional machines in shades of green and blue, creating a raw yet authentic industrial atmosphere. This setting provides the backdrop to showcase the precision and craftsmanship that define metalworking.

Without staging or artificial setups, I documented the craftsmen in their natural workflow. Using the Canon EOS 6D Mark II, I captured the essence of their daily tasks—sparks flying during welding, precise cutting of metal, and skilled hands operating heavy machinery. Every detail, from the glow of molten steel to the structured geometry of finished metal parts, tells a story of dedication and expertise.

The contrast between the rugged, industrial environment and the meticulous, skilled work performed within it is what makes this craft so fascinating. My goal was to highlight this dynamic interplay through my photography, emphasizing the raw power of the processes while revealing the human precision behind every movement.

Skaters of Fernside

This photo series was created as part of a university photography course at UTS sydney. it documents the vibrant community at Fernside Skatepark in Sydney. Known as one of the city’s most iconic street-style skate plazas, the park became a meeting point for skaters from all over the world.

During my time there, I met and photographed skaters from diverse backgrounds, including Scotland, Canada, Sydney, and Nepal. The project focuses on both sides of skate culture: the quiet, personal moments captured in close-up portraits, and the dynamic energy of the same individuals while they ride.

By combining still portraiture with action photography, the series explores identity, movement, and the sense of community that forms in shared public spaces. The images highlight how a skatepark can function not only as a place for sport, but also as a social hub where people from different cultures connect through a common passion.

This work reflects my interest in documenting subcultures and capturing authentic human interactions in real environments.

snowboarding

This collection brings together snowboard photographs I have taken over time at the Snowpark Damüls in Damüls. Rather than being part of a single planned shoot, the images developed naturally across multiple visits, documenting moments whenever I had my camera with me.

The series captures a mix of spontaneous action, everyday sessions, and the evolving atmosphere of the park throughout the season.

This ongoing collection reflects my habit of consistently documenting environments and communities I am personally connected to, allowing a visual archive to grow organically.