Auralis

Auralis is a musical instrument constructed from a multitouch table and custom software ported from my earlier touch wall Touch #2. Merging sound, interactivity, and sequencing, Auralis is simultaneously engaging, meditative and soothing. I created the work for youth ages 8-14.

A virtual world of suns, stars and planets interact with each other. Participants run their fingers across the display to create new forces. As each planet has its own pitch, a series of planets encircling a virtual sun can be played as a musical sequence.

Auralis. Please play video with sound on.

Auralis was built from a hacked SmartTable 442i with upgraded OPS i7 11th generation computer module running Windows 10.

Software is written in Pure Data (Pd) and makes heavy use of Pd library pmpd. Multitouch support was created with a custom C# application which sends OSC messages to Pd using sockets. The C# application captured touch events using SmartTech’s multitouch SDK.

Auralis is a portable installation that is currently available to any organizations that might be interested.

Similar Posts

  • Still Life

    In 2011, as part of Hack.Art.Lab, I collaborated with composer Mary Ellen Childs and percussionist Michael Holland to create live animation triggered by live performance of Mary Ellen Childs’ composition “Still Life.” We analyzed the piece into 11 sections and created algorithmic video triggered by sound and motion to match each of the 11 sections. The video was projected…

  • Touch #1

    In 2012 I created my first interactive touch wall: Touch #1. The work built on my experience creating the visuals for Still Life and was largely inspired by seeing autistic children experiencing pure joy while interacting in an immersive environment. Touch #1 received a great response and was later installed at Exploration Place and at…

  • SoundBlocks

    SoundBlocks is a tangible environment where youth connect blocks to describe network dataflow. The environment explores digital sound manipulation as a personal, meaningful and fun artistic endeavor, rather than as a venture into mathematical, electronic or networking relationships.

  • Avian Migration

    In 2018 I collaborated with Artist Lisa Rundstrom and artist/engineer Tom McGuire to create the public art sculpture, Avian Migration at Wichita’s new Advanced Learning Library. Avian Migration consists of more than 1,300 LEDs controlled by 8 motion-activated sensors spread throughout the library. I was primarily responsible for the development and implementation of the software…

  • Ghost in the Machine

    Originally conceived in 2008, Ghost in the Machine (GITM) consists of a webcam and display which mixes and crossfades events in realtime with motion-activated video it has recorded previously. It continually shifts between 3 states: individual, community, and the world. GITM has been shown in many venues and contexts.

  • Minigolf at Figment in New York

    As a faculty member Wichita State University’s College of Engineering (WSU), I worked with students to create and install a mini-golf hole as part of FIGMENT at Governor’s Island, NY in 2010. I also gave the keynote address that year for FIGMENT’s public art opening. WSU’s mini-golf hole was chosen from a juried selection. Our…