Kooma (demogroup)

Kooma (also known as COMA) is a Finnish demo group founded in 1994. They are known for exploring the demo medium by extensive use of video content, text and other elements that break the traditional demo format. Demos such as "Paimen" and "The Control" achieved a cult status of sorts. Their controversial demos have been shown in art exhibitions and were easily approachable by non-demoscene artists around the world.

History

Formation

Kooma started as C.O.M.A., which stands for Community of Moral Advancement. It was a name that sounded "cool" for a bunch of teenagers. From the beginning, COMA found their home in the youth center Sekkari, owned by the city of Hämeenlinna. The halls of Sekkari can be seen in the short video clips of their The Meeting Intro.

Golden years

COMA gained attention with demos like "Poliisi" and "60BR W", but true success wasn't gained until Assembly 1995 and the release of an unusual vector demo called "Stickman's World" (64k intro, 2nd place). While Virne has always been the main force behind COMA's creativity, Stickmans World was mostly a demonstration of the talents of McGurk. Virne claimed his place in the top of the demoscene with the critically acclaimed "Paimen", which was a final breakthrough for COMA. With punk influences, "The Control" (2nd place at The Gathering 1996) was also a success and secured the group's position as one of the most original in demoscene history. More successful demos and intros followed. The last of the "golden age" productions was "Ro Bott" at The Gathering 1999.

Decline

After many successful years, pressure for even better releases became too big. As most of the products were almost entirely made by Virne, the inactivity of the other members took over whole group. Although some members of Kooma still appeared at demoparties in Finland and abroad, they mostly concentrated on boozing and barbecueing, rather than demomaking. While other members released a few demos and intros under the name of SkraappaSkruuppi, the fast years at the Riot-E absorbed all of Virne's remaining energy for demos. Still, Virne's hectic years in the so called "new media" triggered a few new demos. "Media Huora" and "Taiteilijan Kolmas Persoona" were the results of this new life style. Virne also experimented with new platforms for demomaking, releasing possibly the world's first demo for Nokia's first Java-capable mobilephone.

Present day

After many unfinished but still released products, Kooma is trying to reclaim its position as a leading artistic demogroup with a totally new approach for demomaking. There are plans for a new demo in 2008, but details are unknown.

Members

* Apatia
* Caveman
* Duke Nemo
* Dynamixer
* McGurk
* Miggim
* Mr. Garvin
* Supi
* Ureator
* Virne

Releases

* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=2591 Short Circuit] 1994
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=2593 W45] 1995
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=1139 Stickman's World] 1995
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=2594 John Lennon Ain't Dead] 1995
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=2595 Poliisi] 1995
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=3628 60BR W] 1995
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=451 Paimen] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=77 The Control] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=452 Agent 42: Antti Mustakallio crosses the street] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=7983 Washing Machine Encore] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=9014 Homo] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=3629 Tomu] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=3630 Tuhka] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=3631 Ashes] 1996
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=453 Exposure] 1997
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=1138 Insects] 1997
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=2596 Virne] 1997
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=1114 Punishment X] 1997
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=17147 Valkone] 1998
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=15696 TipuTipu] 1998
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=2521 Ro Bott] 1999
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=2594 Keskinäinen vihanpito] 1999
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=352 Yearning] 2000
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=1236 Media Huora] 2000
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=10995 Taiteilijan Kolmas Persoona] 2003
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=15636 K] 2005
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=30282 Painter's Algorithm 0] 2007