intro|
origo is an audiovisual composition that explores the real-time visualization and reconstruction of physical and virtual spaces, representing the rooms where the artist has lived in Canada, Colombia, and France. These virtual versions of past rooms are revisited and awakened during the performance through an instrument composed of an ultrasonic sensor, a rotation motor, laser diodes, and sampled sounds.
The instrument bathes the performance space with ultrasounds and laser beams in an attempt to superimpose these past living spaces onto the present. this exploration is projected onto a circular screen, accompanied by a light show and immersive soundscape.
origo offers a contemplative experience of memory and space, a poetic hybridization of the artist's body with the environments he once inhabited.
Image: Performance view (2023)
La Grande Rencontre des Arts Médiatiques en Gaspésie, Percé - Photo: La Boîte FLEXIBLE
the instrument|
The instrument was developped as the final project of the Arts and Technology program at the University of Montreal. This wireless hand-held rotary instrument allows the performer to simultaneously interact with physical and virtual spaces. The instrument emits visible laser lights and invisible ultrasonic waves which scan the architecture of a physical space.
the rooms|
The instrument is also connected to a virtual 3d model of the rooms where the artist has lived. Each surface of the 3d model has an audio sample assigned that the artist can play and sequence via the instrument, creating rythmic patterns that sonify the space (e.g. door, floor, wall, ceiling, door floor, wall, ceiling...).
exhibitions|
origo has been exhibited and performed live at the Image Festival of Manizales in 2020, at the University of Montreal in 2021, at NIME 2021 and at the Grande rencontre d’arts médiatiques de Gaspésie in 2022.
Image Festival of Manizales
La Grande Rencontre des Arts Médiatiques en Gaspésie, Percé - Photo: La Boîte FLEXIBLE
tech specs|
Performance:
20 to 30 minutes
Instrument:
Ultrasonic sensor, imu sensor, laser diodes, microcontrollers, batteries and wood
Wireless controller:
Computer, custom TouchDesigner and PureData patches, Wi-Fi router and Bluetooth numpad
Performance space:
Custom round screen, stereo speakers, red lights, dmx controller, hd projector and fog machine