workshops 2008

Physical computing in Musical Theatre

October 13th to 15th, 2008 - from 10:00 to 17:00

This is a three-days hands-on workshop or open lab taking place during the Almost Cinema 2008 Festival. The workshop is organized by HISK, KASK and Sint-Lucas, hosted by Artscentre Vooruit.

Data: October 13-15, 2008
Location: Artscentre Vooruit, Emielruimte
Workshop leaders: Ali Momeni en David Bithell
Price: 50€ (for an Arduino starter pack)
Language: English

Physical Computing is about creating a conversation between the physical world and the virtual world of the computer. More applied this means building interactive physical systems by the use of software and hardware that can sense and respond to the analog world. The mouse is a first step but it can go much beyond with sensors and microcontrollers that translate analog input as heath, movement, touch, … to a software system, and/or control electro-mechanical devices such as motors, lighting or other hardware.

During this workshop we will use the Arduino board and some basic electronics to create input and output systems for experimental music, performance, musical theatre, interactive installations and a blend of all this and more sparked by the participants interests and backgrounds. For this workshop we drop the classical approach, doing tutorials, and create a hands-on laboratory. Partakers are asked to bring in a concept or idea that could be explored and worked out collaboratively. There is no need to have a profound knowledge of soft- and hardware but a deep interest in music, performance and interaction is key.

The end result of the workshop might be presented in an informal media concert or show-and-tell.
Requirements
If you have a laptop please bring it. If not let us know in advance. If you have some electronic tools (as a multimeter, wire cutters or strippers etc) or some electronic toys you would wish to reverse engineer, please bring them.

The workshop costs 50€. This is the price of an Arduino starter pack that you can take home afterwards.