Untitled_05

Generative sign and interface for label and artist collective Raster-Noton

• tags
• code
• concept
• generative
• interface
• java
• maxmsp

This degree project was submitted to the “New Media Art and Design” class at the University of the Arts Berlin in May 2005 and supervised by Prof. Joachim Sauter.

“raster-noton . archiv für ton und nichtton” is meant to be a platform – a network covering the overlapping border areas of pop, art and science. Emerged from the fusion of the two labels Rastermusic and Noton (in 1999) they realize music projects, publications and installation works. common idea behind all releases is an experimental approach – an amalgamation of sound, art and design. Read more at raster-noton.net

Main idea was to create a virtual representation of raster-noton’s artistic output since 1999 which manifests itself in a multifaceted back catalogue consisting of more than 70 releases by now. The result is a generative visual form, that utilises simulated and behaviour-driven organic structures embedded in an interactive environment.

In addition to it’s visual part, the software was designed as an interface to interact with Cycling’s Max/Msp to provide several ways of creating generative (sound) compositions based on the contextual relations between individual releases and elements within the labels catalogue.

Sign and visual structure

Based on their structuring function the catalog’s “series” are representing central clusters within the form and are shaping the basic structure of the generative sign. Each released item / format is represented by an element within the basic shape, while contextual relations between individual releases are displayed through pre-defined ring-objects and resulting combinations.

Visual parameters of containing elements and ring forms are displaying specific qualities of unique releases (i.e. playtime, format: CD, vinyl, catalogues & books) as well as their relations to each other (same artist, same release year, same series, etc.).

Generative form

The dynamic form is based on a flock simulation containing all release items from the labels catalog – each of them presented by a unique element within the swarm. In random temporal intervals a single release is selected by the system itself and the relations to all remaining element are displayed through uniquely defined rings objects.

In combination with surrounding series elements the emerging rings forms are shaping the visual appearance of the generative sign whose underlying structure and content are continually changing with each newly released item.

Print-design mockup for presentation purpose

software – user interface

In addition to it’s formal structure, the sign can be defined as a floating map, which is abstract and concrete all at once. Graphic forms are replacing / representing real objects, which are organized within a dynamic mapping and can be perceived spatially and temporal through associative exploration.

software – software interface

Direct communication between Java application and Max/Msp is enabling participants (performers) to retrieve contextual relationships within the release catalogue as numeric data that can be used for controlling and triggering sound and visual generating software. These data / signals are receivable within simple network structures – creating a collaborative layer for multi-user performances.

Generative Composition

The acoustic layer is utilizing the same relationships between single catalog elements, which are now translated into sonic structures. The series clusters are shaping random, yet unique rhythmical patterns while relationships between released elements are triggering generative sound synthesis and manipulating sound attributes such as envelope, grain, frequency and stereophony.