QUANTUM FRAME
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
2019 -
2018
2018
The Quantum Frame is a mechanical installation that speculates on the future of quantum computing and what that may hold for machine intelligence and consciousness. The installation takes the form of the present day quantum computer, with a tubular central chamber, where machine learning data drives the mechanical movements of an electromagnetic structure, breathing life into the metallic framework, a ghost in the machine.
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The current version of the frame is self-generative. But the artist hopes that once time-sharing of the quantum computer is open to the general public, that the installation may be able to talk with the quantum machine directly via data transfer.
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This piece is currently on-going. Magnetic field experimentation and research with ferrofluid are currently in--progress.
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
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This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
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The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
​
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
​
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
2018
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
​
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
​
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SOLENOID
ORCHESTRA (ESO)
electronics, custom software, stainless steel
2011
The Electromechanical Solenoid Orchestra (ESO) is a decentralized mechanical sound and music network driven by real time data pulled from the environment. The design of the ESO system stems from the concept of creating complex machine systems from simple mechanisms or components such as electromechanical actuators. When installed in a spatial matrix formation, the viewer can experience the installation from within it, where the soundscape transforms as audiences shift position and move spatially through the installation space.
A total of 24 stainless steel cage were designed and built for the ESO, each cage a deconstructed xylophone with one octave controlled and activated through solenoid tapping. These custom-made and non-traditional instruments can be driven by data to generate complex musical soundscapes that go beyond the capabilities of human muscle movement. The first iteration of this work pulled environmental data collected by the Citizen Sensor kit developed Joseph Savaadra from multiple cities in Asia, Europe, and the United States
ESO in the "Weather Tunnel" at TransLife, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, 2011.
ESO, Weather Tunnel documentary, featuring Joe Savaadra, developer of the Air Quality Egg that supported the data collection of the Weather Tunnel Project.
Video by Michelle Calabro (4min 7sec)
Translife Exhibition, Weather Tunnel - Parsons School of Design (2011)
Video by Michelle Calabro (16min 59sec)
Detailed mechanism design for each octave cage, including how components fit together, stand design and matrix design. This spatial configurations of the pillars could potentially bring out the three dimensional nature of sound.
