Description :
Probably as a consequence of the renewed interest towards analog circuitry and modular synthesizers, in the last few years, analog video art has become increasingly popular in the community of electronic musicians and multimedia artists. An easy first approach is through vector graphics: one can start experimenting with Oscilloscopes and Lasers in a very intuitive way with just a couple of oscillators.
The appeal of vector graphics may derive from the seemingly infinite resolution, the line-based aesthetic, and the intrinsic impermanence of the display. Other motivations lie in repurposing obsolescent hardware, reimplementing historical devices, or simply diverging from mainstream digital approaches to video. This is a multidisciplinary workshop that introduces and merges different theoretical fields: media archaeology, analog electronics, graphic design, optics, computer vision, coding and early 3d modeling for '80s gaming.
The technique explained is very intuitive especially for musicians as all visuals will be a direct translation of sound signals. Visualizing sound through light reveals for the eyes several sound properties and geometries that could otherwise remain unnoticed by the ears: frequency ratios, phase shifts, detuning and beatings, etc. I call this process Visual Listening: a deeper way of understanding sound through light.
Through digital prototyping, the workshop will show possible hardware configurations to setup an analog video workstation recycling laser, oscilloscopes and old cathode ray tube monitors. In a critique towards consumerism, the workshop will integrate technologies from different ages to create new unexpected aesthetic results, while learning about the history and techniques of video art. We will discuss possible solutions on how to setup an all analog audiovisual live show using laser and vector monitors.
Participant Tools (not included): Personal laptop computer. Required Knowledge: Basic knowledge of a Personal Computer. Bring your own electronic circuits that you want to visualize.