Driftwood: Redefining Sound Sculpture Controllers

Alexandra Rieger, and Spencer Topel

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract:

The Driftwood is a maneuverable sculptural instrument & controller. Tactilely, it is a micro-terrain one can explore with the hands as with the ears. Closed circuit sensors, moving wooden parts and Piezo microphones are discussed in the design phase alongside background and musical implementation concepts. Electronics and nature converge in this instrument harmoniously referencing our changing world and environment. When engaging with the sonic sculpture silent objects become audible and rest-wood is venerated. It is revealed to the musician interacting with Driftwood that our actions intervene directly with issues relating to sustainability and the amount of value we place on the world we live in. Every scrap of wood was once a tree, Driftwood reminds us of this in a multi-sensory playing experience. The Driftwood proposes a reinterpretation of the process of music creation, awareness and expression.

Citation:

Alexandra Rieger, and Spencer Topel. 2016. Driftwood: Redefining Sound Sculpture Controllers. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1176110

BibTeX Entry:

  @inproceedings{Rieger2016,
 abstract = {The Driftwood is a maneuverable sculptural instrument &
controller. Tactilely, it is a micro-terrain one can explore with the hands as
with the ears. Closed circuit sensors, moving wooden parts and Piezo microphones
are discussed in the design phase alongside background and musical implementation
concepts. Electronics and nature converge in this instrument harmoniously
referencing our changing world and environment. When engaging with the sonic
sculpture silent objects become audible and rest-wood is venerated. It is
revealed to the musician interacting with Driftwood that our actions intervene
directly with issues relating to sustainability and the amount of value we place
on the world we live in. Every scrap of wood was once a tree, Driftwood reminds
us of this in a multi-sensory playing experience. The Driftwood proposes a
reinterpretation of the process of music creation, awareness and expression.},
 address = {Brisbane, Australia},
 author = {Alexandra Rieger and Spencer Topel},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.1176110},
 isbn = {978-1-925455-13-7},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 pages = {158--159},
 publisher = {Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University},
 title = {Driftwood: Redefining Sound Sculpture Controllers},
 track = {Demonstrations},
 url = {http://www.nime.org/proceedings/2016/nime2016_paper0032.pdf},
 year = {2016}
}