File:Using Pd to create a Visualization Instrument for Percussion.pdf

In June of 2010 Michael Holland, director of Vortex Percussion Ensemble, approached Wichita-based art collective Hack.Art.Lab and contemporary composer Mary Ellen Childs to explore what synergy might exist between us through collaboration. To open this conversation, we targeted an earlier work of the composer's, Still Life, to build a live video element which might add another dimension to her piece. We chose Pd-extended as our engine to interpret sensor data from the performers, then manipulate the live video. In this paper I explore both the process and product of creating the visual element.. Supporting documents, including a video of a performance of the work, interviews of the creators, and links to all software used, are available at http://hackartlab.org/pg/groups/139/vanderbilt- collaboration/.