Dear Group,
I just read Johannes Birringer's report on
our workshop. Thank you Johannes!
Perhaps I will go ahead and send mine in as well --
the "organizers'" perspective perhaps.
The Hellerau Workshop, entitled "Koerper-
computer-interaktion", is mid-way through its
two weeks. I have decided to make three
entries according to 3 phases:
Phase One was the introductions of the
workshop leaders and participants (most of
whom, by the way, are professionals in
theater, video and dance) as well as the
technologies we are using. This part, which
lasted three days, included training in the
use of the special software and equipment.
Phase Two, which i guess we are still in,
involves the development of project concepts
and a work schedule. Phase Three will be the
results.
-------
Phase 1 - Introductions of artists, scientists
and technology:
The workshop began with a lecture from
Guenther Haffelder (Institute for
Communication and Brain research Stuttgart)
concerning their work measuring and analyzing
brain waves of people in various conditions
and doing various activities. The system they
use involves 4 small electrodes. Signals are
output in ca. 20 frequency ranges. Of
particular importance to the analysis is the
comparison of right and left brain hemisphere
activity. Mr. Haffelder and his assistant
showed us videos of numerous demonstrations
(including the brain waves of dancers dancing,
but also those of circus performers and so
on). They use a projector to allow the
subjects, as well as observers to view the
activity live on a large screen.
Palindrome (Frieder Weiss and Robert Wechsler)
then described the capabilities and
applications of their Eyecon video/based
interactive systems (Touchlines, Dynamic
Fields and Color Tracking), as well as their
work using electrode/based systems to control
sound and stage lighting.
The next three days that followed were filled
with brainwave measurements (necessary for
calibration of the equipment) as well as 2
hours a day training with eyecon. Everyone
was able to have hands-on experience as well
as access to the machines during the rest of
the day and night for practice.
We also began work on computer programs to
essentially filter and simplify the output of
the brain wave signals. To our approach, this
step seems crucial since our goal is new
performance pieces and systems _for the
general public_, and not only for experts.
That is, when watching the present system at
work, one sees a fascinating pattern of
flimmering blue and red stripes, it is
certainly difficult for the lay person to
gather subtler patterns, shifts in, for
example, visual vs. auditory responses, or
activity in more "primitive" vs. "higher"
regions of the brain.
On 2.August (next week) we will show the
results of our work in a showing here at
Hellerau (21:00).
Good. In a day or two I will write again and
describe theconcepts and procedures and came up
with (phase 2).
With warm regards,
Robert Wechsler
PS I attach a quick picture. Hartmut on Max.
Sandra is practicing with the musical instrument
called her brain...
Attachment converted: Personal Files:F_RROB~1.JPG 2 (JPEG/JVWR) (000072E8)
-------------------\o/-------------------
Robert Wechsler
PALINDROME IPMG
Johannisstr. 42
90419 Nurnberg
phone: (49) 911-397472
fax: (49) 911-3778311
cell: (49) 179-511 0400
WWW.PALINDROME.DE
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