Kimberlyn Cho- Looking Outwards- 02

Alan Palomo, the lead singer of Neon Indian, uses self-generative art to digitally project his body movements on the screen during performances. I found this artwork interesting in its innovative nature and promising future of contemporary stage art. As technology continues to progress, generative art such as this would allow for an enhanced stimulating experience at not just concerts, but potentially other events as well.

 

Neon Indian performing “The Glitzy Hive” at Webster Hall;

Palomo engages his audience both visually and auditorily by capturing his movements through a motion camera and projecting the data in different geometric forms on a screen behind the band. He uses a Microsoft device called “Kinect” to capture the movements on stage. Although Kinect hasnt been commonly enjoyed by artists due to its abstracted projection, Palomo shows great appreciation for the symbiotic relationship it provides for his music and performance. In the past, Palomo has attempted incorporating visuals into his performances but has always felt a disconnect between his music and his performance. Hence, he worked with a friend to use audio synthesizers to track audio lines to manipulate various projections. The algorithm of Palomo’s generative art allow for an endless possibility of digital projections based on his music and performance.