Custom Musical Instruments. The intrinsic aspect of these works are the contradictions created between the “soft” interfaces of the embroidered, painted, or haptic instruments and the loud and immersive soundscape that they produce. The materials include fabric, canvas, wire, electro-conductive thread, flowers, and uses technology such as Max Msp, Arduino, and several other computer based synthesis.
The study of contrasts is important not only as a tool to define the focus, but the various composites can suggest the idea of opposites in the subject matter.. Various realities form in the new musical environments, and point to highly constructed situations which will help to reflect certain beliefs within a society.
Embroidery and knitting are crafts generally associated with female labor and folk tradition. Through the use of these techniques the artwork intends to re-evaluate these crafts as a valid contemporary form of expression, while combining them with technological features and the use of physical computing, in order to create a tangible “soft” interface that controls and produces sound.
Feminist Jukebox, 2019. Electroconductive paint, tea towels, arduino, mp3's of obscure women composers. Interactive installation. Detail. The intrinsic aspect of this work is the contradiction created between the “soft” interfaces of the embroidered instrument and the loud and immersive soundscape that they produce
Soft Synth/Drum Machine 2019. The controllers and sensor are embedded into fabric. The glitch-prone nature of the electronic embroideries reference the DIY character of e-textile experimentation. The five notes to the motif of Kraftwerk’s Trans Euro Express were programmed for the keys. Due to the uncertain nature and glitches of the material, it is impossible to play that riff in time, so I imagine this as an instrument to “remix” and experiment with it. Controllers include: ● 5 Mellotron Key Notes ● 4 bar drum loop ● Clave ● Bit Crusher ● Ring Modulator ● FM Synthesis ● Sub Octave pad
Sound Painting Instrument, 2019. Larger canvas contains electroconductive paint. Sounds include notes, feedback, jackhammers, distortion, and industrial sounds.
Sound Painting, Copper Wire Instrument, 2019. Larger canvas holds eight copper wire triggers. Sounds include notes, feedback, jackhammers, distortion, and industrial sounds.
Synth Instrument inspired by the bucolic-horror film "MIDSOMMER" 2019, flowers, doily, fabric, wire, electroconductive thread, arduino, synthesized horror movie sounds made in Max MSP
Detail of canvas/instrument with electroconductive paint, paper, and thread, 2018
Midsommer Synth, 2019
Synth Instrument inspired by the bucolic-horror film "MIDSOMMER" 2019, flowers, doily, fabric, wire, electroconductive thread, arduino, synthesized horror movie sounds made in Max MSP
Soft Synth/Drum Machine 2019
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The controllers and sensor are embedded into fabric. The glitch-prone nature of the electronic embroideries reference the DIY character of e-textile experimentation. The five notes to the motif of Kraftwerk’s Trans Euro Express were programmed for the keys. Due to the uncertain nature and glitches of the material, it is impossible to play that riff in time, so I imagine this as an instrument to “remix” and experiment with it. Controllers include: ● 5 Mellotron Key Notes ● 4 bar drum loop ● Clave ● Bit Crusher ● Ring Modulator ● FM Synthesis ● Sub Octave pad
Feminist Jukebox, 2019.
Electroconductive paint, tea towels, arduino, mp3's of obscure women composers. Interactive installation. Detail. The intrinsic aspect of this work is the contradiction created between the “soft” interfaces of the embroidered instrument and the loud and immersive soundscape that they produce.
All songs by women composers and musicians:
Meeting in the Ladies Room by Klymaxx, 1984
Up Above My Head by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 1940
Ayanmo L’Owo by Queen Aladunni Decency, (year unknown)
EscapeYou by ESG, 1981
Atatawa by 00I00, 2006
* What a Way to Die by the Pleasure Seekers, 1964
Sound Textile Synthesizer
2019. Larger canvas contains electroconductive paint and threads. Recorded sounds include notes, feedback, jackhammers, distortion, and industrial sounds.