Interpersonal Touch Musical Interfaces

Collecting some of the experiments in the field of interpersonal touch based musical interfaces.

The research project CLOSER explores new forms of interaction through touch and gestures. It overcomes conventional interfaces, investigates the meaning of interpersonal touch and examines the potential for tactile communication in health care and human computer interaction. Prototypes are explored in order to project future scenarios with our skin and body as a means of embodied interaction. Team: Alexander Müller-Rakow, Ulrike Gollner, Oscar Palou Ribó, Juan Pablo García Sossa, Birga Schlottmann and Jussi Mikkonen Supervision: Prof. Dr. Gesche Joost Many thanks to: Tiago Martins, Lynda Amer Meziane, Katharina Lorenz, Senior Research Group Berlin, Martin Dunkelmann and Osteoline University of the Arts Berlin Design Research Lab www.drlab.org www.skintimacy.org Contact: Alexander Müller-Rakow alexander.mueller@udk-berlin.de

Playtronica - Touch interfaces and performance

The Russian / French company Playtronica is definitely the most prolific creators of touch-based musical installations. They currently have two devices that they sell that allow anyone to create the kind of work that they put into public spaces (or perform in concert settings).

This blog post will grow over time as I develop a greater understanding of their work and look at examples of their performances and novel uses of their devices (Touch Me and Playtron).

Playtronica at the Pompidou

Playtronica created this performance piece in collaboration with Arte Radio at the Centre Pompidou. It is a re-imagining of György Ligeti’s music and inspired by the Endless Column sculpture b y Constantin Brâncuși in the background.

The passers-by had to, step onto Playtronica-wired floor, and touch the skin of the “columns”. Thus, by spontaneous interaction of strangers, a new interpretation of a famous masterpiece was born.

ART Installation during the Soirée Sonore #4 of Centre Pompidou in collaboration with Arte Radio. A piece based on Ligeti music and Brancusi "Endless Column"...

‘Inclusive’ testing of their installation at the Pompidou

'Touch': A panel discussion about the use of touch in performance, led by Jane McLean, Ruth Spencer and Laura Blake

A panel discussion about the use of touch in performance, led by Jane McLean, Ruth Spencer and Laura Blake.

I particularly found the work of Laura Blake interesting for my research on touch interaction and accessibility.

Laura Blake:

• Visual Artist creating work that can be touched and interacted with.

• Co-design is part of her practice, audiences test ideas around works.

• Works with neurodiverse audiences.

• It’s important they have the experience they want to have with it.

• “Objects become a tool for communication between people.”

THE SOCIALLY DISTANCE FUTURE OF TOUCH:

• Do we need to think about changing the art materials?

• Continue to advocate for touch, don’t forget about it.

• Touch language of the supporting adult is very important.

Artwork by Laura Blake

Artwork by Laura Blake

The Science of Touch

In this talk, David Linden explores the science and complexities of touch on human health. David J. Linden, Ph.D., is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His laboratory has worked for many years on the cellular substrates of memory storage, and recovery of function after brain injury, among other topcs.