Dr. Michael Praxmarer is a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, University of Innsbruck , specializing in Paleolithic music archaeology. His work bridges experimental archaeology, ethnomusicology, and cognitive studies to investigate prehistoric sound production and its societal implications. Education: Dr. phil. (2023), MA (2014), BA (2009) from University of Innsbruck Research focuses on reconstructing Paleolithic musical instruments, analyzing cave acoustics, and exploring music's role in human evolution. He employs 3D scanning/printing and experimental techniques to validate hypotheses about symbolic thinking and social rituals. Projects include leading "Presumed Whirling Plates from the European Palaeolithic" (2024–) and contributing to the European Music Archaeology Project . Collaborations span institutions in Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. His publications emphasize interdisciplinary frameworks, acoustic analysis of stalactites, and material culture studies. Workshops since 2010 engage the public in reconstructing prehistoric instruments, partnering with cultural organizations across Austria and Europe.
Martin Ilcik is a Researcher at the Department of Computer Graphics within the Faculty of Informatics at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). His work focuses on procedural modeling, shape grammars, and related computer graphics techniques. He serves as a Scientist in the Rendering and Modeling workgroup and has been actively involved in research projects since 2008, including GameWorld, PAMINA, Wohnen 4.0, AgroEco, and currently Room Imageer and GreenFDT projects. Ilcik's research interests prominently feature procedural modeling techniques, with specializations in shape grammars, layout generation, semantic modeling, 3D reconstruction, and music generation. His work bridges computer science with practical applications in architecture, urban planning, and creative arts. He has made significant contributions to layer-based procedural design of building facades and collaborative modeling systems. His publication record spans from 2007 to 2024, with a strong focus on procedural modeling techniques. The research trajectory shows evolution from flow visualization to sophisticated procedural modeling systems, with increasing emphasis on shape grammars, collaborative design, and applications in architecture and music generation. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in making procedural modeling more intuitive and accessible. VC CultTech Hackathon winner category 'Vienna State Opera challenge' (2017) INiTS Award 2016 Ilcik has supervised student research, including Lukas Eibensteiner's 2021 Diploma Thesis on polyphonic music composition with grammars. He has been instrumental in organizing the Central European Seminar on Computer Graphics (CESCG) since 2008, which has grown into an important annual event for undergraduate students in computer graphics, vision, and visual computing across Central Europe. His community work includes creating educational resources and organizing EXPO events and Academy Videos through CESCG. He leads research in the Rendering and Modeling workgroup at TU Wien's Computer Graphics department, focusing on developing innovative procedural modeling techniques with applications in architecture, urban planning, and creative domains. His current projects (Room Imageer and GreenFDT) continue his longstanding interest in practical applications of procedural modeling techniques.
Dorothea Charlotte Seel serves as Lecturer in Historical Performance Practice & 19th Century Flutes at Mozarteum University's Department of Music Education in Innsbruck. She concurrently holds a position at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz where she earned her doctorate in 2017. Her research centers on historical sound aesthetics and performance practices from the Baroque to Romantic eras, with specialization in 18th-19th century flutes. She actively bridges scholarly research and artistic practice through instrument studies and period performance. Her recent creative output shows strong focus on Classical-era chamber music and historical sound reconstruction, exemplified by her 2025 release of Johann Andreas Amon's flute sonatas. Earlier scholarly work culminated in her award-winning 2017 dissertation on 19th-century flute acoustics. Austrian State Prize 'Award of Excellence' from the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research Seel directs the Baroque Soloists Munich ensemble and maintains an active international performing career with leading period-instrument groups. Her work integrates artistic practice with academic research through publications, recordings, and historical instrument exploration.
