Smart digits

A computer workshop dealing with real time techniques and motion capture in the digital arts.

Proposed by: Asa djinnia – Paris

With the growing power of the computer and the emergence of new types of software, working techniques in digital art are evolving from basic editing practices and home studios towards instant feedback and an increasingly rapid interaction between human and machine.
This workshop presents real time techniques and associated software such as MAX/MSP and Jitter applied to the fields of video, music, and performing arts. Its main objective is to enable and assist the participants in the creation of a computer application which they can utilize in live situations, performances, or at home.

The workshop is not about making computer programmers out of the participants. Technical aspects related to programming will be handled by the instructor in order to allow the participants the agency to develop their ideas and individual projects.

Workshop Content:

Module 1: Live audio and video signal processing.

– A panorama of the different real time processes dealing with audio and video signals (delay, transposition, filtering, distortion)
– Experimentation with the major the synthesizing techniques of sound (additive, subtractive, FM, granular)
– Displacement of sound
– Real time manipulation of video streams and effects
– Implementation of an interactive system between image and sound i.e. the utilization of music to manipulate images and vice versa

Module 2: Motion capture applied to stage performance and live spectacles.

– Theoretical description of the different methods of motion capture using Ethernet, USB, and MIDI interfaces
– The practice of mainstream motion capture techniques and operations through the use of the Wise Box (a perceptive wireless interface developed by IRCAM)
– The correlation of audio and video elements (the study of various interactive practices induced by movement)
– The integration of these tools into set designs, art installations, dance, and theatre

Target Participants:

Professionals working in the fields of composition, music, video, and plastic arts.
These include, but are not limited to:
-Performers
-Dancers
-VJs
-Technicians
-Sound engineers
-Education specialists
(Please send your CVs/Portfolios to: stageordi@yahoo.fr)

Duration of the Program:

20hrs of instruction divided into 6 individual sessions of 3 to 4 hours each.
1 to 3 sessions/ week. Work schedules will be set according to the availability of both the instructor and the participant.

Dates:

March 31, 2006 6:30pm
Workshop Presentation (open to public):
A session introducing the concepts of interaction and real time.
The presentation of Max/MSP/Jitter and the different devices that will be utilized throughout the workshop, illustrated by music and video examples.

Location:
Espace SD
S.Dagher Building
Charles Helou Avenue
Gemmayzé
Tel: 01 56 31 14
www.espacesd.com

April 7 to May 19, 2006:
Individual sessions

May 25, 2006 (tentative):
Presentation of workshop results at Espace SD and The Basement

Price:
Varies on a per project basis (apx. $150-$500)

Computer Requirements and Eligibility:
Work Platform: Mac Os X or Windows XP
Familiarity with the basics of computer technology.
For Music and Video Artists: Knowledge and experience with editing or live software.
Demos of Max/MSP/Jitter will be provided to all participants.
The created computer application will be compiled into a stand alone application or a plug-in that will function independently.

Animator
Tarek Atoui

Technical Consultants:
Emmanuel Flety – IRCAM-Paris
Uriel Barthélémi – Asa Djinnia-Paris.

Results and Outcomes:
The results of the workshop will be the subject of an exhibition to take place at the end of May (see details above).
These results will be released on a DVD, edited by La Cd-Theque, and distributed to various labels and artistic institutions throughout Europe. This DVD will present the participants and their works following the selection by a joint jury of French, Dutch, and Lebanese constituents.

Registration and Contacts:
La Cd-Theque
Ashrafieh
Independence St
Tel: 01 336708
Email: stageordi@yahoo.fr

In collaboration with:

La Cd-thèque
L’Espace SD
L’IRCAM(www.ircam.fr)
Puce Muse (www.pucemuse.com)
The Basement
Mooz Records

Tarek Atoui is an electroacoustic/electronic musician and programmer based in Paris.
His work focuses on developing his own music and video computer software that render an esthetic proper to the collective Asa Djinnia he has co-founded with Uriel Barthélémi.
He works with research and creation studios such as Puce Muse and Cesare as well as several theater, dance and puppet companies.

Website: http://www.espacesd.com/