Displaced Resonance (SEAMUS 2009)April 22nd, 2009

We explored an impressive installation at the Seamus conference from the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts and Animation, coming from Ball State University. As the website describes, it consisted of sixteen sculptural forms containing tubing of different lengths (the longest roughly ten feet, folded) mounted on boxes with internal loudspeakers driving sound through the tubes.

The system would interact with the physical movement while being controlled by a computer connected to an infrared camera.  Here is an interview that classmate Evan Merz did with sound designer, Michael Pounds:

For more info and a more detailed explanation, check out the official website: idiarts.org

Tesla Coil Music (SEAMUS 2009)April 21st, 2009

I might as well start with the “grand finale” of the conference… two huge Tesla coils making music!  This is perhaps the most dangerous instrument ever conceived.  It is a type of resonant transformer circuit originally conceived by scientist Nikola Tesla that creates high frequency alternating current.  In other words, it looks really, really cool. They began with an electro-acoustic piece, and then had some fun:

The system came from the University of Illinois and was performed and/or assisted by Scott Wyatt, Mark Smart, Steve Ward, Lippold Haken, Terry Blake, and Jeff Larson.  We also had an unexpected visitor in this video:

I have only begun to scratch the surface as far as learning what Tesla Coils are all about, but here are some links to begin learning about them:

Tesla Society

Types of Tesla Coils and how to build them

More Tesla links and info

SEAMUS Conference 2009April 19th, 2009

Four of us from the Electronic Music program just returned from a 3-day trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana to visit the conference for the Society of Electro-Acoustic Musicians.  We saw over 50 performances, including surround tape pieces, musicians with live electronics, video works, and human interface devices, as well as Tesla Coils!  (More on that to come…)

The conference was held at the brand new Sweetwater facility, which included an amazing performance theater and recording studio, as well as many amenities for guests and Sweetwater employees.  Over the next several weeks, I will be posting details about specific parts of the conference.  Needless to say, it was a fun and eye-opening experience that made me proud to be an electronic musician and part of the community.

Ars Nova Art Show and Karen Patton’s RecitalApril 15th, 2009

The busy semester continues!  Last Thursday was the gallery opening of the Ars Nova Art Show at the Jack Olson gallery in the Art building on campus.  My wife, Cassie, had two works presented at the show, one of which can be seen in the center of the photo (It is the knitted piece).

Additionally, Electronic Music Grad Student Karen Patton had a successful recital featuring her 8-channel works, and an acoustic song performed by a guest guiatrist and vocalist (Karen can be seen coaching the performers in the photo).

We will be heading out to SEAMUS at 5:30 AM tomorrow, so I’m getting geared up!