projects
my projects create meaningful experiences with technology that engage the senses and enchant the imagination - but mostly this means playing around with old toys, recyclables, gaming controllers, sharpies, copper tape, and code to make new music and sound experiences.
Soundscape at the I.D.E.A Museum in Mesa, Arizona (2014-2018)
Interactive installation
An interactive environment that creates sound in response to movement and position of kids within a geodesic dome. Uses the kinect api to track the positions of head, torso, feet, and hands on up to 6 humans simultaneously. UDP that data to Max and separate this into 4 spatialized zones with designated loops and different interactions within each one; jump to splash in the pond, wave your arms to knock birds out of trees, dance to ask more and more drummers to join in the circle, and draw large circles with your arms to play chimes. This exhibition was up at the I.D.E.A. Museum in Mesa, AZ from feb 2014 to jan 2018.
Kinect, Max, MIDI, found sounds, recorded sounds, synths, surround sound speakers
thanks to Xiao Wang for the Kinect api access
Wiimote Wave (2013)
mini app
Sonify your wiimote. Connect up to 4 wiimotes and assign different sounds that react to acceleration data from the remote. Goals of expressive movement, auditory discrimination, arm and hand strength, and smaller motor coordination. wiimotes, osculator, Max, MIDI
Makey Makey Sampler (2014)
mini app
This simple application was originally custom built for a specific need of a music therapist, and was a one-day project. It allows you to trigger sounds with strokes of the typing keyboard. Drag and drop your own sound files and assign keys for each sample. It is meant to accompany the MaKey MaKey, “an invention kit for the 21st century” as described by its creators, two MIT grads, Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum (makeymakey.com, $50)
Max, Makey Makey, conductive materials, speakers
DDR Dance pad Instrument (2014)
mini app
Like the Makey Makey sampler, this came directly from a curricular need in my experience teaching in a school for high functioning ASD youth. This application takes data from a DDR pad via USB and allows you to specify sounds for each button on the pad, so you can have a large size sampler and unique sound performances with the body.
Max, DDR pad, DDR ps2-to-usb converter, speakers
Sonic virtual reality game: How does your body sound? (2010)
Paper/Poster at NIME 2010 (PDF Available Here)
authors: K Headlee (now Swisher), T Koziupa, D Siwiak
Interactive system that uses the body and biosensors as a generative tool for creating music. Uses a multi-player game paradigm, where players work together to add layers to a soundscape of three distinct environments. Project goals are to explore innovative ways to make music, create self-awareness, and provide the opportunity for unique, interactive social experiences. Max, nerf squish balls, stretch and bend sensors to arduino
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