Month: September 2021

Looking at Sound Art

The work called ‘A Natural History of Networks / SoftMachine’ by Ralf Baecker really captured my attention because of his process and inspirations for his piece.

This work uses code to control liquid metal that changes with the sound. What is really interesting is this art piece is suppose to play with the dynamic of the contrast of hard logical machines with free flowing natural materials, which oddly works so seamlessly. It really emphasizes the chaos and systematic traits nature can often have, which was clearly intentional because Baecker’s background includes research in biomimicry.

A video of ‘A Natural History of Networks / SoftMachine’

This piece works by using a closed system where the machine senses and analyzes the metallic liquid and continues to reacts to its own input which creates a feedback loop. Thus creating this “homeostatic” quality.

To learn more look at this link: https://www.creativeapplications.net/maxmsp/a-natural-history-of-networks-softmachine-a-speculation-about-a-heterogeneous-technological-culture/

LO 4: Sound Art

Forty-Part Motet (2001)

For this week’s Looking Outwards, I chose Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller’s Forty-Part Motet Sound Installation.


The British-Columbia based Artists created this Installation by having the Salisbury Cathedral Choir sing Thomas Tallis’ 1573 “Spem in Alium.” With the recordings in place, 40 Speakers were set up in groups of 5 and separated by Musical Group.


By moving between the Speakers and within the area, a person is about change their perception of the Track – feeling and hearing it dynamically morph.
I admire the Work’s simplicity and ease of access.


The Artists just used Speakers to create their Sound Art, relying on already utilized Algorithms to make this.


Furthermore, the music they chose to record and convey through the Speakers is beautiful.


Finally, the Artists were right in saying that the Installation evokes a spiritual/emotional aspect. This aspect is shown through the Music itself and no doubt it is much more pronounced in person.


Here is their website, this specific work, the video, works, and their about section.

Project-04: String-Art

My Project

//allows for rotation
var rot = 0;

function setup() {
    createCanvas(400, 300);
    background(220);
    text("p5.js vers 0.9.0 test.", 10, 15);
}

function draw() {
    background(220);
    lineSpread(400, 0, 0, 400, 10, 0, 0);
    lineSpread(0, 300, 0, 400, 10, 0, 0);
    lineSpread(0, 0, 0, 400, 10, 0, 0);
    lineSpread()
    fill(220);
    rect(300, 20, 80, 80);
    circle(75, 225, 75);
    if ((mouseX > 300 & mouseX < 380) && (mouseY < 100 && mouseY > 20) ){
        background(220);
        line(150, 100, 250, 100);
        line(150, 200, 250, 200);
        line(150, 100, 150, 200);
        line(250, 100, 250, 200);
        lineSpread(200, 0, 150, 250, 10, 0, 100);
        lineSpread(200, 300, 150, 250, 10, 0, 200);
        lineSpread(0, 150, 100, 200, 10, 150, 0);
        lineSpread(400, 150, 100, 200, 10, 250, 0);
        line(0, 150, 200, 0);
        line(200, 0, 400, 150);
        line(200, 300, 400, 150);
        line(0, 150, 200, 300);
    }
    else if (dist(mouseX, mouseY, 75, 225) < 40){
         background(220);
         fill(220);
         lineSpread(200, 150, 0, 300, 5, 112.5, 0);
         lineSpread(200, 150, 0, 300, 5, 287.5, 0);
         for (var i = 0; i < 300; i += 5){
              line(0, i, 112.5, i);
              line(287.5, i, 400, i);
         }
         stroke(20);
         circle(75, 225, 75);
         circle(75, 75, 75);
         circle(325, 75, 75);
         circle(325, 225, 75);
         lineSpread(200, 0, 150, 250, 10, 0, 60);
         lineSpread(200, 300, 150, 250, 10, 0, 240);
         lineSpread(200, 150, 150, 250, 10, 0, 60);
         lineSpread(200, 150, 150, 250, 10, 0, 240);
         push();
         translate(75, 225);
         rotate(radians(rot));
         line(0, 0, 26.5, 26.5);
         pop();
         push();
         translate(75, 75);
         rotate(radians(rot));
         line(0, 0, 26.5, 26.5);
         pop();
         push();
         translate(325, 225);
         rotate(radians(rot));
         line(0, 0, 26.5, 26.5);
         pop();
         push();
         translate(325, 75);
         rotate(radians(rot));
         line(0, 0, 26.5, 26.5);
         pop();

         rot = rot += 2;

    }
    else {
        background(220);
        lineSpread(400, 0, 0, 400, 10, 0, 0);
        lineSpread(0, 300, 0, 400, 10, 0, 0);
        lineSpread(0, 0, 0, 400, 10, 0, 0);
        fill(220);
        rect(300, 20, 80, 80);
        circle(75, 225, 75);
    }

    
}

function lineSpread(x1, y1, startDegree, endDegree, lineSpace, sXNum, sYNum){
    if (sXNum == 0 & sYNum == 0){
    for (var degree = startDegree; degree <= endDegree; degree += lineSpace){
        line(x1, y1, degree, degree);
    }
    }
    else if (sXNum > 0) {
    for (var degree = startDegree; degree <= endDegree; degree += lineSpace){
        line(x1, y1, sXNum, degree);
    }
    }
    else if (sYNum > 0) {
    for (var degree = startDegree; degree <= endDegree; degree += lineSpace){
        line(x1, y1, degree, sYNum);
    }
}

}

I initially tried to do something more complex, but I settled for simpler things. I had fun writing the Function I used.

Project-04: String Art

sketch
//i made mine a smile lol
var dx1;
var dy1;
var dx2;
var dy2;
var dy3;
var dy4;
var numLines = 50;

var x = 0;
var y = 0;

function setup() {
    createCanvas(400, 300);
    background(244, 195, 195); //baby pink color

    line(50, 50, 150, 300); //start line
    line(300, 300, 350, 100); //end line
    dx1 = (150-50)/numLines;
    dy1 = (300-50)/numLines;
    dx2 = (350-300)/numLines;
    dy2 = (100-300)/numLines;

    line(50, 50, 150, 300); //start line
    line(300, 300, 350, 100); //end line
    dx3 = (150-50)/numLines;
    dy3 = (300-50)/numLines;
    dx4 = (350-300)/numLines;
    dy4 = (100-300)/numLines;


}

function draw() {
    fill(0,0,0);
    ellipse(300, 100, 10,10);
    ellipse(220, 100, 10,10);

    //lines going across canvas-parallel look
    for (var i = 0; i <=400; i +=20) {
        stroke(53,81,95); // grey blue color
        line(width - i, y, x, y + i*4);
        line(i, height, width, height - i*4);
        line(width - i, height, x, height - i*4);
        line(i, y, width, y + i*4);

    }

     //circle on outside
    for (var i = 0; i <=400; i +=20) {
        stroke(255,255,255); //white
        line(width - i, y, width, height - i);
        line(i, height, x, y + i);
        line(width - i, height, width, y + i);
        line(i, y, x, height - i);

    }
    // function given from instructions 
    var x1 = 0;
    var y1 = 0;
    var x2 = 350;
    var y2 = 350;
    for (var i = 0; i <= numLines; i += 1) {
        stroke(255,0,0); //red
        line(x1, y1, x2, y2);
        x1 += dx1;
        y1 += dy1;
        x2 += dx2;
        y2 += dy2;
    
    }
    noLoop();
    var x3 = 350;
    var y3 = 350;
    var x4 = 0;
    var y4 = 0;
    for (var i = 0; i <= numLines; i += 1) {
        fill (255,0,0); //red
        line(x1, y1, x2, y2);
        x1 += dx1;
        y1 += dy1;
        x2 += dx2;
        y2 += dy2;
    }
}

String Art

class= “p5-embed” data-width = “400” data-height= “300” href= “https://courses.ideate.cmu.edu/15-104/f2021/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/sketch-180.js”>sketchDownload

I really struggled with this project because I couldn’t visually where would the lines be drawn thus I used very simple drawing tactics to create overlapping rhombuses to create a star with CMU’s plaid effect.

Project 04: String Art

sketch

// John Henley; jhenley; 15-104 section D

// Initiate variables
var dx1;
var dy1;
var dx2;
var dy2;
var dx3;
var dy3;
var dx4;
var dy4;
var numLines = 50;

function setup() {
    createCanvas(400, 400);
}

function draw() {
    // Set colors
    background(0);
    stroke(255, 255, 255);

    // First set (bottom left)
    dx1 = 0/numLines;
    dy1 = (-mouseY)/numLines;
    dx2 = mouseX/numLines;
    dy2 = 0/numLines;
    var x1 = 0;
    var y1 = 400;
    var x2 = 400;
    var y2 = 0;
    for (var i = 0; i <= numLines; i += 1) {
        line(x1, y1, x2, y2);
        x1 += dx1;
        y1 += dy1;
        x2 += dx2;
        y2 += dy2;
    }

    // Second set (top right)
    dx3 = 400/numLines;
    dy3 = mouseY/numLines;
    dx4 = mouseX/numLines;
    dy4 = 400/numLines;
    var x3 = 0;
    var y3 = 0;
    var x4 = 400;
    var y4 = 400;
    for (var i = 0; i <= numLines; i += 1) {
        line(x3, y3, x4, y4);
        x3 += dx3;
        y3 += dy3;
        x4 += dx4;
        y4 += dy4;
    }
    line(0, 0, 400, mouseY);

    // Third set (middle)
    dx3 = 400/numLines;
    dy3 = mouseY/numLines;
    dx4 = mouseX/numLines;
    dy4 = 400/numLines;
    var x3 = 0;
    var y3 = 0;
    var x4 = 400;
    var y4 = 400;
    for (var i = 0; i <= numLines; i += 1) {
        line(x3, y3, x4, y4);
        x3 += dx3;
        y3 += dy3;
        x4 += dx4;
        y4 += dy4;
    }

    dx3 = mouseX/numLines;
    dy3 = 100/numLines;
    dx4 = 100/numLines;
    dy4 = 0/numLines;
    var x3 = 50;
    var y3 = 400;
    var x4 = 350;
    var y4 = 0;
    for (var i = 0; i <= numLines; i += 1) {
        line(x3, y3, x4, y4);
        x3 -= dx3;
        y3 += dy3;
        x4 -= dx4;
        y4 -= dy4;
    }

}

I wanted to make an interactive piece with lines that crossed and span the canvas, transforming based on the position of the mouse.

LO4: Sound Art

I examined a project by the experience designer Mileece. Called Sonic Art, Mileece attaches an electrode to the leaves of plants, which conducts the electro emissions naturally coming out of the plant. The electrode connects to an amplifier and then to a computer, which analyzes the emissions and transforms it into music. Mileece describes herself as simply a “facilitator” in the project, rather than an artist herself, transforming the natural electrical rhythms of plants into music. I admire the concept of bridging the perceived gap between humans and the natural world; after all, humans are animals first and foremost.
This project connects humans with the world’s flora. In addition, the project brings a relaxing and transformative experience in the world of environmental design.

Mileece, sonic art, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYU18eiiFt4

Project4: String Art

string art
function setup() {
    createCanvas(300, 400);
    background(220);
    text("p5.js vers 0.9.0 test.", 10, 15);
    rectMode(CENTER)
}
function draw() {
    background(40,30,60);
    stroke(150, 160, 255);
    for (var x = 0; x <= 50; x += 1) {
        line(300, 50, 300/50 * x - 3, 0); //right upwards lines
    }
    for (var x = 20; x <= 80; x += 1) {
        line(300, 50, 300/40 * x, 400); //right downwards lines
    }
    for (var x = 0; x <= 30; x += 1) {
        line(0, 350, 300/60 * x, 0); //left upwards lines
    }
    for (var x = 0; x <= 30; x += 1) {
        line(0, 350, 300/30 * x, 400); //left downwards lines
    }

//spiraling lines (very short)
    var angle = 70
    var angle2 = 50
    var x = 30
    var y = 50
    translate(150,200) //origin = center
    push();
    for (y = 50; y <= 300; y += .7){
        rotate (radians(angle));
        stroke (180, 168, 218);
        line (30, y, x+2, y);
    }
    pop();
//spiraling lines (short)
    push();
    for (x = 30; x <= 400; x += .8){
        rotate (radians(angle2));
        stroke (190, 210, 240);
        line (x-25, x-40, x-40, 0.8*40);
    }
    pop();
//black hole in the middle
    push();
    stroke(30,10,70)
    strokeWeight(3)
    fill(0)
    circle(0,0,30) 
    pop();
}

I drew star trails with a black hole in the middle.

LO4

Link of the : https://vimeo.com/43213162
Author: i.m. klif
Title: Vector rescanning using MaxMSP
Year Created: 2012

The project is called Vector rescanning using MaxMSP. There is a machine where you can have motions inside which can be scanned: for example you can put your hands inside and have them moving. A camera would record your motion and send the signals to a synth, and thus will produce sounds according to the motion of the hands. I really admire how we can instantaneously convert motion into music, which is converting visual element to audio. This is amazing because it shows the possibility of how visual can link to audio even though they are usually considered as two totally different senses. I think the creator’s artistic sensibilities are shown through their improvisation on their gestures. Improvisation is an extremely important aspect of music. Performers tell us their interpretation of how the music flows and continues through their motions, so it is amazing that improvisation can be realized through this technology.