Andrey Smirnov :: workshops

This intensive workshop offers hands-on introduction to interactive systems, based on the sensor technology, developed by Andrei Smirnov for measuring and monitoring human motion, variations in electrical and mechanical features of different objects, air and water flows etc.

The workshop is oriented on sound and media artists, composers and musicians, who have particular interest in sound art and interactive systems, unknown history and musical technology in general.

The theoretical introductions, which accompany a workshop, give detailed technical overview of sensor technology and construction, art and music applications, forgotten, but very useful concepts and ideas, condensed historical content, mostly related to almost forgotten historical facts.

During the workshop participants will develop and realize their ideas regarding different sorts of pickups, antennas and conductive medias (metal objects, foil, water, human body, plants, metal threads, thin plastic films with metallization, all sorts of Christmas stuff etc.) which could be useful to produce different interactive audio/video installations, motion capturing systems and unusual musical instruments.

Participants will learn
=How to detect any sorts of motion and measure it
=What information could we get and how to deal with it
=Art and music applications of interactive motion tracking systems
=Basic principles of operation and construction of the theremin based systems
=Ways to integrate them in musical performance, dance, video, sound and art installations
=How to perform with them
=Historical overview of different approaches and applications

 

Requirements
Each participant should have a computer with an audio input and headphones. It could be useful to have as many mic stands as participants. All computers and software should be configured and checked in advance (!).

Software
Participants should have some skills in PD or MAX/MSP programming.
It is also posible to work with any favorite software, oriented on interactive systems development, which allow external control via OSC or MIDI (Supercollider, Isadora etc.). In all cases control data will be provided via MAX/MSP runtime or PD patches from instructor's library. It is important to remember that in many cases the use of extra software will result in significant increese of latency and other possible timing problems.

Minimal configuration
1. Laptop with PD, MAX/MSP
2. One free USB port
3. Stereo audio input.
4. Personal headphones
5. All appropriate cables
6. Appropriate ammount of power plugs.

Analog and digital USB sensors for testing, experimenting and performance as well as all appropriate software libraries will be provided by instructor as well as different stuff for antenna construction.