After studying architecture and visual media design in Vienna, Kurt Hentschlager created kinetic and interactive sculptures, computer-generated video clips and 2D computer animations. From 1989 to 1992, he was a founding member of Pyramedia, a multimedia collective based in Vienna whose performances combine sound, video, interactive television and audiovisual research.

In 1993, together with Ulf Langheinrich, he founded Granular Synthesis, with whom he presented his performances and installations around the world for ten years, receiving numerous awards in the process. In 2001, he was chosen to represent Austria at the Venice Biennale. Since 2002, he has been working alone, creating site-specific light installations and 3D virtual playgrounds in real time.