Our question for this work, What happens to our experience of space when we fold sound? is situated in our research into fundamental artistic methods for origami and robotics, following our central theme of Fold Sensing. Our conceptual approach is to invent foldable musical spaces rather than linear musical scores. The performer can explore the musical volume using choreographed folding paths and geometric gestures. Technically, the instruments are layered electronics and textiles. The main elements are a capacitive sensor array from printed circuit board electrodes crafted as kinetic origami structures.
We envision oribotic instruments as a form of robotic sculpture, where the program of folded geometry constrains the human-hand movements, and as a form of spatialised musical expression.
At the Open Futurelab, visitors are invited to explore a variety of musical spaces of different oribotic instruments in a playful and enjoyable way.
Oribotic Instruments / Ars Electronica Futurelab (AT), Photo: Matthew Gardiner
Oribotic Instruments / Ars Electronica Futurelab (AT), Photo: Matthew Gardiner
Oribotic Instruments / Ars Electronica Futurelab (AT), Photo: Matthew Gardiner
Credits
Ars Electronica Futurelab: Matthew Gardiner (AT/AU), Anna Oelsch (DE/AT), Erwin Reitböck (AT), Simon Schmid (AT), Alexandre Bizri (FR), Chiara Croci (IT)
External sound artists: Dan Wilcox (US/DE), Anne Wichmann (DE/US), Miller Puckette (US)
This project is funded through the FWF Austrian Science Fund, PEEK Program.