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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
2011
The Electromechanical Solenoid Orchestra (ESO) is a two-year design research project that resulted. in the design and development of a decentralized mechanical sound and music network driven by real time data. The design of the ESO system stems from the concept of creating complex machine systems from simple mechanisms or components such as electromechanical actuators. The form and installation layout of the ESO is inspired by the Stele Forest at the Xi’an Beilin Museum. When installed in a spatial matrix formation, the viewer can experience the installation from within.
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 instrument can be driven by data to generate complex musical soundscapes that go beyond the capabilities of human muscle movement. At the same time, the instruments are designed to connect and work with traditional instruments such as MIDI controllers or keyboards, as well as data platforms.
This piece was exhibited as part of the “Weather Tunnel” project during the “TransLife” Beijing New Media Triennial exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in 2011. The ESO utilized data points from 7 different cities across the USA, Asia and Europe to create arpeggios based off of weather environmental data such as CO2, CO, NO2, LUC, temperature, rH and PM2.5.
ESO, "Weather Tunnel" and the "TransLife" exhibition have been covered by Rhizome, The New York Times, ArtLinkArt, CBCNET
This piece was later showcased at Beijing Design Week Dashilar in 2014.
ESO in the "Weather Tunnel" at TransLife, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, 2011.
ESO, Weather Tunnel documentary created by Michelle Calabro, featuring Joe Savaadra, developer of the Air Quality Egg that supported the data collection of the Weather Tunnel Project.
Translife Exhibition, Weather Tunnel - Parsons School of Design.
Video by Michelle Calabro
Solenoid cage details and controller circuit.
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.
