Skateboard as a musical instrument

News from the big North (via Artnode):

The video of Steve Kurtz (CAE) lecture at the digital artfestival in Aarhus is now available at FlatTV.dk.

Pretty interesting exhibition and conference this week at the Article, Biennial of electronic and unstable arts in Stavanger, Norway. The goal of Article is to promote artforms which don’t merely employ electronic techniques in its production and display, but also actively comment on technology, the ethics and politics of technology and the evolution and dissemination of technology.

Musique Concrete is part of the Article exhibition. The performance, by Simon Morris consists of a wireless interface and sensors which transforms the skateboarder's movements into real-time sounds, a bit like Cobi van Tonder's latest project, Skatesonic.

The result is a musical composition which turns the skateboarder into a composer, interacting both visually and acoustically within his/her spatial surroundings.

How does it work?

Sensors responsive to vibration, acceleration and rotation are connected to an interface mounted underneath skateboard. Using the radio protocol, data is transmitted wirelessly from the interface to a laptop computer. Each sensor triggers real-time sounds detected from the movements of the skateboarder and amplified through speakers. As the user engages with this device, universes of unique melodical, rhythmical and often unexpected musical compositions are generated.

More in arte.fi 1 and 2 and on the artist's website.