"Collapsing Borders" jam session on Friday celebrates 20th anniversary of Berlin Wall collapse

The University of Michigan hosts a "trans-Atlantic live digital audio video jam session" as part of a series commemorating democratic revolutions. This event, "Collapsing Borders — Einstürzende Grenzen," highlights the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. To remember this landmark event, German pop ambient artist Markus Guentner performs in collaboration with Detroit-based digital-dub purveyors nospectacle.

The performance, held at the Duderstadt Center on the University of Michigan campus, mixes and sequences the performers' music and video, drawing upon composed content as well as improvisations. "Collapsing Borders" aims to illustrate how art, entertainment and technology helps to break down political, cultural and psychological barriers.

Markus Guentner is best known for his recordings on the German record label Kompakt, including full lengths "1981" and "In Moll," released in 2001 and 2005, respectively, and singles for the label's Pop Ambient series. He also works with Ambient Works to create soundscapes for film, advertising and new media. This is the first time Guentner has appeared in the area since the 2006 Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Listen to Markus Guentner's "Send Things Flying"

Electronic music/video/DJ collective nospectacle is comprised of University of Michigan Screen Arts & Cultures lecturer Christopher McNamara along with Jennifer Paull and Walter Wasacz. Performing works by McNamara, the group blends drones, dubs, voices and streaming images. Nospectacle most recently performed at the "Live in Time" multimedia program at the Detroit Institute of the Arts' Detroit Film Theatre.

Nospectacle performing at the Max M. Fisher Music Center last year:

Keeping the excitement going, Sava's Café hosts a post- "Collapsing Borders" party. Guentner and nospectacle join Ann Arbor's own Forest Juziuk (Dark Matter/Hott Lava) to spin cosmic jazz, Krautrock, dub, shoegaze, post-punk and more, while Ted Kennedy projects video art.

Chrysta Cherrie is the entertainment producer/copy editor for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at chrystacherrie@annarbor.com or 734-623-2526, and follow her on Twitter @chrystacherrie.

Collapsing Borders — Einstürzende Grenzen: Friday, November 20 at the Video and Performance Studio, Duderstadt Center, 2281 Bonisteel Boulevard. Free. 6 p.m. Aftershow party at Sava's Café, 216 South State Street. $5. 10 p.m.