Andrey Smirnov :: works

Several plants are connected to the theremin-sensors as a kind of live antennas. Performers and spectators can interact with those plants touching their leaves, branches and trunks. MAX/MSP based interactive algorhythms are analyzing and interpreting incoming sensor data controlling pre-programmed sound generative processes. Different ways of interaction as well as different locations produce different musically meaningful audio reactions.

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This installation/performance is a sort of sound/light alchemy, a play with light, reflecting materials and chemical processes.

In the core of the installation/performance is a reconstruction of Leon Theremin's "Buran" eavesdropping system, developed in 1945 for KGB, based on monitoring of the acoustical vibrations of windowpanes. Therefore he used a radio-location system based on directed microwave radiation.
The same principle can be realized by means of the recent laser technology. As a result, we can monitor many sorts of normaly inaudible vibrations in all kinds of reflecting media: membranes, liquids, solid objects, listen the sound of water surface, bubbles, foil, plastic bags etc. It's a sound/light alchemy, a play with materials and chemical processes.

Equipment needed for the performance:
- the ordinary PA, any small mixer and one guitar amplifier, not too big, 25-30 wt would be ok.;
- one empty table, the size approximatly about 1.0 x 2.0 m.;
- one small table to put guitar amp. on it;
- two mic. stands.

VIDEO
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Installation is based on a reconstruction of Leon Theremin's "Buran" eavesdropping system, capable to monitor acoustical vibrations of windowpanes. It incorporates a laser and a photo receiver, both installed at a 10 to 20 m distance from a window. The light from the laser is focussed on the windowpane and eavesdroppes all activity in it's neighborhood. Sounds are distorted by the glass-surface resonances.

Equipment needed for the installation:
- small mixer;
- two microphone stands;
- guitar amplifier;
- headphones;
- old window with a big enogh windowpane.

VIDEO
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The installation is based on several vetro-sensors (theremin-sensors with a very light, flexible antennas), hanged over the exhibition space.
Flexible antennas are so light that they can react on wind and air flows in the space, surrounding them. Thus the way to play with installation - to open windows and doors, to use vacuum cleaners, fans, to breath or just move inside the installation space.

The space should have windows or doors, which could be opened to produce air flows. All sensors are connected to the computer with MAX/MSP software.

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Performance is based on the same techniques, played by two performers: one dancer and one programmer.

V:NM Festival, Graz, Austria
25.05 - Festival opening, Interactive installation "Vetro-Touchless" by Andrei Smirnov, performance by Lena Golovashova.

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For theremin-sensores and MAX/MSP based interactive system.

Sonochronotop is a sort of virtual musical instrument as well as an active sonic space, a kind of invisible sculpture, in which the sound (sono-), it’s development in time (chrono-) and active motion in space (topos) are linked together and the spatial structure of musical performance could only be developed and displayed as a result of transformation of a biodynamic tissue of motion into the sensual tissue of musical sound.
Performers or visitors are moving and dancing in the active area of two antennas – theremin sensors which are tracking position of the human body in space, while MAX/MSP based interactive system is analyzing incoming data and interpreting it into the flexible developing musical structure. The motion of visitors represents the substance, skeleton of musical image while space appears as a halted time and time behaves as a driving space.

There are several embodyments of SonoCHronoTop, including the series of interactive musical performances in collaboration with Dmitry Kalinin (schakuhachi), Peter van Bergen (sax), Cordula Bösze (flute), "Shadows" installation together with Elisabeth Schimana, new "solo" SonoCHronoTop installation series.

VIDEO (3.38 mb)
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Interactive performance/installation for one soloist, one programmer, two assistants, MAX/MSP based interactive brain-wave biofeedback system.
The main principle of the brain-wave biofeedback system is to engage performer in an active, kinetic relationship with the musical process, by measuring and analyzing the psycho-physiological data related to his/her mental and emotional state. Performer controls the development of the musical material, based on pitches, rhythms and timbers organized in series by means of brain-wave biofeedback system, which is measuring performer’s electroencephalogram and electro-oculogram, tracking the movement of eyes and mimic of the face, analyzing and interpreting incoming data into development of the flexible musical structure. The hardware is based on a low noise portable 4-channel bioamplifier for EEG monitoring, compatible with computer A/D Board, developed by Smirnov during his work at the Institute for Psychology of Academy of Sciences , USSR in 1985 in the frame of Emosaurus Project.

Brain Jazz1 (2001) VIDEO
Brain Jazz2 (2010) VIDEO
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for one performer, theremin-sensores and MAX/MSP based interactive system.

Sonochronotop is a sort of virtual musical instrument as well as an active sonic space, a kind of invisible sculpture, in which the sound (sono-), it’s development in time (chrono-) and active motion in space (topos) are linked together and the spatial structure of musical performance could only be developed and displayed as a result of transformation of a biodynamic tissue of motion into the sensual tissue of musical sound.
During the live performance musician is playing in the active area of two antennas – theremin sensors, which are tracking position of performer's body in space, while MAX/MSP based interactive system is analyzing incoming data and interpreting it into the flexible developing musical structure. All sound material is based on the original sounds of musical instrument, processed and transformed by appropriate real time algorithms. The system as well as musical instrument are considered as an extension of performer’s body. The playing technique is also extended by means of performer’s movement and gesture which represent the substance, skeleton of musical image while space appears as a halted time and time behaves as a driving space.

VIDEO (12.6 mb)
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