In the concept development stage of the process Daniel and I were inspired by a number of different instruments.
First of all even before this module started we watched a screening of a film chronicling all of Pauline Oliveros’ many projects throughout her life. What surprised me was near the end of her life she worked a lot with deaf and disabled musicians in workshops where she would bring her Deep Listening philosophies to technologies using eye tracking or live remote-call performance (long before zoom!). Touchingly she said something along the lines of how she finally understands what Deep Listening is after working with deaf people on a performance project. This introduced me to the world where accessible design and disability awareness merged with sound art something I didn’t know was so big.
Design concept wise we were most inspired by the famous Theremin. A electronic musical instrument device from the 1920’s that use positional antennas to sense the relative position of the performers hands which then control the frequency and volume oscillators. Though not designed with accessibility in mind it’s undeniable that with it requiring fluid hand movements just in the air many disabled people can use it to make music like people who struggle with fine motor movement, people missing or with deformed limbs, the blind etc.
In our research we also came across the Soundbeam which uses ultrasonic beams and footswitches to control integrated hardware and software using MIDI. Again movement into sound. Used by people with special needs including PMLD, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, disability and in aged care.
‘Soundbeam provides a medium through which even individuals who have profound physical or learning impairments can become expressive and communicative using music and sound. The sense of control, agency and independence which this provides can be a powerful motivator, stimulating learning and interaction in other areas.’ I was particularly inspired by this sentiment and wanted to make something similar but in sound art/ soundscape composition rather than a musical context.
Earlier in the year our classmate Jason used the same sensors we did for this project in his interactive gallery installation which inspired and showed us what these sensors were capable of.
After finishing the project I also found some similar sensor based instruments on the Drake Music website such as the Tone Ruler:
