Art of the Long Future

Still from 'Art of the Long Future' (Close-up of an ancient Yew tree)

Art of the Long Future draws connections between the preservation of our ancient past, uncertainty of the world at present, and a vision for longevity through artistic practice. The film features interviews with Lucia Burgio, Vinita Khanna and Jem Finer.

This project was a collaboration between Nicole Robson, Sebastian Löbbers and Luis Zayas. It was made in 2019 for the Digital Arts Documentary module of Media and Arts Technology at QMUL.

Exhibited at Contra Magazine #2 Launch Party.

Touchy Spacey Data Thingy

Touchy Spacey Data Thingy prototype produced at MTF Stockholm 2018

Touchy Spacey Data Thingy is a device for the sonification of data. Designed to provide a visceral interaction to compare data sets, it then presents them as an intuitive graphic interface and a musical instrument. While the instrument could be used to sonify any data, for this project we have specifically worked with satellite data from the ESA and SNSA API to provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between the 3 cities we are from across the seasons, and also to compare two different environments. Data is presented on laser-cut images that abstract the data, presenting as a cross between a piece of art and a cartridge for a games console.

This project was a collaboration between Gawain Hewitt, Sabina Barcucci, Johnnie Hård, Luis Zayas and Malin Arvidsson. It was completed in 24h for the MTF Stockholm 2018 Hack Camp + Creative Media Labs at KTH.

Winner of the Spaced-out Music challenge, sponsored by the Swedish National Space Agency and the European Space Agency, at Music Tech Fest Stockholm 2018.

The Rose Conducting Baton

James Rose with BSO Resound at BBC Proms 2018. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

The Rose Conducting Baton is a 3D printed clip that allows for a conducting baton to be attached to James Rose's glasses. James conducts with his head and the accessible baton assists him in the development of his technical skill and artistry as a conductor. This was completed in time for James’ performance with BSO Resound at the BBC Proms 2018.

The Rose Conducting Baton was developed in partnership by James Rose, Luis Zayas and Drake Music, with additional support from the EPSRC+AHRC Media and Arts Technology Centre for Doctoral Training at Queen Mary University of London and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

The Rose Conducting Baton was used by James Rose to conduct his inclusive BSO Resound ensemble at the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms 2018.

lifeSupport

Saline drip bags hang from the lifeSupport IV pole at Hackoustic exhibition

lifeSupport is an IV drip generative music installation powered by Bela platform. Four saline drip bags pick random notes from chords, each drip on a different octave, tuned using just intonation. Parameters can be tweaked in real‑time.

The flow is controlled by the dials embedded in the giving sets. Instead of being connected to catheters, the end of the giving sets are aligned using laser-cut acrylic arms. These are directly above a plate which holds four strips of brass. Under each piece of metal is a piezo transducer which is connected to Bela. This computer is running a compiled Pure Data patch which uses the excitation of the piezos to generate a random with each drop. Each number corresponds to a different note in a preset chord. By using the potentiometers on the breadboard, the user can change the base pitch, the envelope or the chord.

Exhibited at Tate Modern (Hackoustic Tate Lates), London Roundhouse (Rising, We Are Now, Chairman's Dinner), Funkhaus (MTF Berlin), Old Truman Brewery (We Are Robots) and LimeWharf (Hackoustic).

Kazumi

First version of Kazumi, developed at LSBU and Makerversity in 2015

Kazumi is an accessible instrument for aspiring musicians and makers. It is a completely new interface that is designed to be engaging for anyone that is interested in making music. Its design has been subject to many different constraints in order to remove as many barriers to participation as possible. Each of the seven surfaces is a touch-pad that is subdivided into five configurable electrodes. The structure can be rotated on its base to transpose the selected scale. Playing music on Kazumi is a tactile, sensual experience, hands exploring and caressing to draw different notes from the speaker embedded in the peak. It has been designed as an open-source DIY kit. This will not only allow anyone to learn about the materials and processes that have gone into the instrument but it will empower users by encouraging them to hack and customise it as the ultimate way of appropriation.

Winner of the Drake Music Accessible Music Tech 2016 Hackathon at Queen Mary University of London. Second prize in the Element14 Open Source Music Tech Challenge 2016. Exhibited at TEDxTeen London 2016 (Music Hackspace) and New Designers 2015 (LSBU).