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.
SOUNDSPADE
electronics, custom software, acrylic
2006
Soundspade is a crowd-sourcing digital music performance interface that generates experimental electronic soundscapes. It is an exploration that reimagines the relationship between musician and audience through interface design and peer-to-peer networks. The piece is a software and hardware tool that enables musicians to search, upload, play and compose, using a network repository of sound samples. The sound files can be contributed to the repository from the audience through local sharing via iTunes. The software analyzes the sound files for different musical qualities when they are uploaded. The musician can then search the repository based on musical qualities, and selected samples can then be downloaded. The Soundspade software downloads songs from shared iTunes playlists, and then analyzes, slices, and ingests them into the repository for use in the hardware.
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The Soundspade hardware is an embedded Linux music workstation designed to be portable and easy for musicians to use. It incorporates touch sensitive technology for its key controls. The main premise behind the music workstation is to provide an integration of an audio and MIDI enabled computer and MIDI controller. The hardware supports Open-Source MIDI and audio software making it a versatile workstation for any musician. With the addition of the Soundspade client software, the musician can upload, search, and download samples from the Soundspade repository.
Music created by the artist using Soundspade was used in artist Liu Bolin’s video installation Hiding in New York.
Soundspade instrument, touchpad control hardware interface.
Soundspade instrument (side view).
Hardware design, 2006.
Instrument encasing design, 2006
Music created by Benjamin Bacon via the Soundspade interface was used in contemporary Chinese artist Liu Bolin's installation video Hiding in New York (1min 55sec).