Verstehen: An Improvisational/Interactive Performance Series for Electronics, Sound, + Live Painting

Artists:
Emily Rankin - Live Paint, Sketching
Meason Wiley - Live Electronics, Sound Art, Coding, Circuits
Definition:
Ver·ste·hen /fərˈSHtāən/ German, literally ‘understanding.’ noun: (SOCIOLOGY) An empathic understanding of human behavior.
Description:
This performance series explores various approaches to sonic/visual improvisation, focusing on methods of conversation between two artists of different mediums. Each performance takes a unique approach to real-time creation of interactive multimedia art in front of an audience. The uniqueness of each piece is dictated by a number of variables that become more complex as the performances progress. There are various interactive/technological components to the work that allow each artist to directly control and/or influence the other performer’s decisions in real-time. For example, the sound of specific performance may be generated through the use of analog sensors, which can detect position of an object on the canvas, as well as track how hard or soft the object is pressing. Additionally, the use of camera-tracking/blob detection of the painter’s motion, color choices, or position of brush on the canvas can be used to manipulate, change, and even generate sound.
We also developed a set of guidelines for communicating during a performance through means of sonic and visual notation, which allowed both of us the ability to alter the direction of the work on the fly by adjusting the sound, shifting the color, or by changing the brush stroke. These methods of communication are primarily linked to Emily's chromesthesia, which allows her the unique ability to see sound as specific colors, textures, and shapes.
West Coast Tour - November 2017:
November 2nd | 8pm - 10pm | Link & Pin Gallery - Austin
November 3rd | 8pm - 10pm | Raba Marfa Grand Opening - Marfa
November 5th | 5pm - 7pm | Sedona Posse Grounds Hub - Sedona
November 6th | Talk on Interactive Art @ UCSD - San Diego
November 7th | 7pm - 9pm | Subterranean Coffee Boutique - San Diego
November 8th | Time TBA | w/ Sarah Belle Reid | Automata Arts - Los Angeles
November 9th | 7pm - 8pm (Forum) & 10pm - 12am (Performance) | CalArts (Machine Lab) - Valencia
November 10th | Time TBA | w/ Kelly Porter + VOIDTRIPPER | Temescal Art Center - Oakland
November 12th | 9pm - 11pm | Base Experimental Arts Space - Seattle
November 13th | Time TBA | w/ Geological Creep + Midori Hirose | Turn Turn Turn - Portland
November 15th | 7pm - 9pm | Radical Abacus Art Space - Santa Fe
December 4th | 7pm - 9pm | Vortex Theatre - Austin
First Performance Series:
Day 1 - “Minim” materials (pen, ink, sharpie, highlighter, acrylics, amplified canvas, electronics, voice, laptop)
Day 2 - “Patch” materials (pen, ink, sharpie, highlighter, acrylics, amplified canvas, analog modular synthesizer, electronics, laptop)
Day 3 - “Deep Listening” materials (pen, ink, sharpie, highlighter, acrylics, electronics, mlgi (multi-laser gestural interface, laptop)
Day 4 - “Influence” materials (pen, ink, sharpie, highlighter, acrylics, color-based camera tracking, blob detection, projections, laptop)
Day 5 - “Understanding” materials (pen, ink, sharpie, highlighter, acrylics, amplified canvas, color-based camera tracking, blob detection, projections, laptop)
This work was on display at the Link & Pin Gallery in Austin, Texas throughout the month of July (2017).
Performed live at the Link & Pin Gallery - July 1, 2, 6, 7, & 8 - Austin, Texas - 2017
Produced by Lindsay Doleshal + En Route Productions
Videographer: Calvin Cates
Video Editor: Meason Wiley
Special Thanks: Debra Watkins, Lindsay Doleshal, Jason Farmer, Calvin Cates, Amelia Turner, Bridget Farr, Anne Hulsman, Austin Creative Alliance, Austin Community Foundation, Cultural Arts: City of Austin Economic Dev., ACC MPBT Department, CalArts MTIID Department
Press Kit for this project is available HERE.