August 2, 2008 at 9:20 pm
· Filed under Tokyo, Technology, Photo, Japan, Music
I recently visited KDDI’s Designing Studio in Harajuku, where they are showing off the results of a concept design project with Yamaha, exploring the possibilities of integrating true musical performance interfaces with mobile phones. While the concept models are interesting, I was struck by lack of emphasis on communication and collaboration possibilities. Most of the emphasis was on the individual device, a mobile phone that could be operated like a musical instrument. Not too much thought was given to the possibilities of a musical instrument that can communicate electronically over long distances!
This seems to be part of a trend to make genuinely musical, easy to use, and portable, electronic instruments, such as the Korg Kaossilator. I was particularly struck with how the designers tried to make devices that genuinely allow for musical expression. The device above, “Strings for Fingers”, is played (and dialled!) by plucking strings.
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July 21, 2008 at 6:36 pm
· Filed under Technology, Video Art, Travel, Art
I am working on an art project involving panoramic video, shot in New Orleans. The project is a commission for video artist Pawel Wojtasik from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). It will form part of a show called “These Days: Elegies for Modern Times”, opening on April 4th.
Since I have previous experience using the Point Grey Research Ladybug 2 camera, I’m helping support the shoot in a number of ways. This article will focus mostly on the logistics of using the Ladybug 360 video camera on location. If you just want to look at the pictures, they are here. (Thanks to Denise Markonish for the use of the pictures!)
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July 6, 2008 at 8:47 pm
· Filed under Technology, Video, Audio
The audio responsive iDance Wall•E toy very much likes Noise Toys from Loud Objects:
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May 20, 2008 at 1:14 pm
· Filed under New York, Photo, Art, ITP
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May 19, 2008 at 10:57 pm
· Filed under New York, Music, ITP
My friend Nancy Garcia played an outstanding duet with Thurston Moore (of Sonic Youth fame) at the No Fun Festival, on May 16th. I enjoyed the show, and was especially pleased because Nancy played one of my musical instruments, the Rhythmic Synth!
You can hear the synth very clearly in this song…
The No Fun Festival had plenty of highlights: it was good to see Astro (Hiroshi Hasegawa), who played at the Watermelon Noise Feast in Tokyo last year.
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