JIMIFIEDgagaCube
Introduction The Greeks theatrical use of masks dates back to the 5th century B.C. They were used to both visually exaggerate the inner emotional state of the character and amplify the voice of the performer through an internal megaphone. These early audio-visual objects clarified artistic intent and made communication with a larger audience possible. The word "persona" is derived from personare, the Latin for "mask" and literally translates "to sound through". Carl Jung chose to call the outer layer of the self, our interface with society, the persona. The gagaCube is intended to act as an integrated and physically realized digital persona. It not only extends the range of the performers communication with the audience, but also deepens the connection felt. The System This system consists of a hardware platform whose behavior is controlled in real time by audio input (software). The hardware structure, while visually striking, is a product of the acoustic design. Concentric speaker arrays give the impression of encasing one sound source inside another. The software is unique in its use of multi-modality perceptual interaction (e.g. using duration and intensity of light as a sound shaping element).
|
 |
Scale and use The system used in the videos and pictured in the photos was design for a low light, relatively quiet exhibition setting. Building a larger, louder, brighter version and optimizing it for nightly assembly/dis-assembly is suggested. During performance these objects will descend and appear to float above the audience. These objects will be visually linked to the vocal through the behavior of the lights. The speaker systems are functional and will present the audience with the unique experience of hearing the voice directly above them.
|
 |
The "original size" refers to the cube in the photos and videos on this site and is shown above next to a 6-foot tall man.
|
Video simulation
|
Example One |
In this example the inner array of lights is triggered by the vocal track the outer cube is only activated by the phrase "poker face". This video is a simulation of one possible response to vocal input. It is important to remember that the light can be controlled by any sonic feature or combination of features and that only the vocal and vocal FX will be heard through these speakers. Please note that the acoustic signature of the speaker arrays is not simulated in the examples.
|
Example Two
|
In example two the vocal signal is used to trigger the lights of the inner tetrahedron and the delay FX are used to trigger the lights connected to the outer cube.
|
additional images
|
|
|
|
all photos by Kirk Wilson
|
