Posted in Announcement on November 11th, 2020 by admin
Henrik Frisk and myself are proud to announce a unique opportunity for students of KMH, KTH, and Konstfack to get involved with ongoing research into the history of electronic music in Sweden. The Sounds of Futures Passed workshop invites composers, engineers, and designers of sonic possibilities to investigate rare and unusual sound synthesis instruments formerly used at the Kungl. Musikhögskolan and Elektronmusikstudion EMS Stockholm.
We will speculate on what kind of aspirations for the musical future might have gone into the design and construction of these devices in the past, and on what sort of ideas about the use of sound instruments we can take from them into our own musical futures.
The workshop takes place over three ZOOM sessions (01 DEC, 08 DEC, 15 DEC), with team work taking place at KMH during the days between the meetings to compose with and analyze the functions of one specific instrument, the DATATON SYSTEM 3000 designed by Björn Sandlund in the 1970’s.
Students can send questions or register their interest in participating by email to idholzer AT THE DOMAIN kth.se and henrik.frisk AT THE DOMAIN kmh.se with the subject line: SYNTH WORKSHOP
This is the first in a series of investigations, each focused on a different historical device from the collected archives of EMS, Statens Musikverket, and the Scenkonstmuseet, with the goal of producing new, historically-informed sound synthesis instruments and interfaces. The project is supported by the Swedish Research Council/Vetenskapsrådet.
Posted in Announcement on September 29th, 2020 by admin
with DEREK HOLZER and VASULKA KITCHEN BRNO
Tuesday, 20 October, 2020 – 18:30 to 20:30 Thursday, 22 October, 2020 – 18:30 to 20:30 Tuesday, 27 October, 2020 – 18:30 to 20:30 Thursday, 29 October, 2020 – 18:30 to 20:30
The Vector Synthesis workshop, led by audiovisual artist and researcher Derek Holzer, investigates the direct relationship between sound and image. It draws inspiration from the work of artists such as Mary Ellen Bute, Nam June Paik, Steina and Woody Vasulka, and Gary Hill; from the media archaeology of computer graphics; from obsolete technologies such as the Cathode Ray Tube monitor, the Scanimate, and the Rutt/Etra Video Synthesizer; and from contemporary laser display techniques. This workshop is ideal for musicians, sound artists, animators, and visual artists who want to work with oscilloscope and laser imagery.
DATES: OCT 20/22/27/29 2020
TIME: 18:30-20:30 Central European Time
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 12
COST: FREE
Participants will learn how to draw Lissajous figures, render simple two- and three-dimensional shapes, and process photographs and video into vector artwork which can be displayed on oscilloscopes and ILDA laser displays using audio signals. These vector shapes can animated and further modified in real time using external audio sources such as voice, amplified instruments, or electronic synthesizers provided by the participants.
The core of the workshop will be ready-to-use examples written in the Pure Data programming language.
The language of this workshop is English.
The maximum amount of participants is 12.
REQUIREMENTS
No experience with Pure Data is required to participate, beginners are welcome.
A background with either digital audio or digital moving image is helpful.
Participants are required to attend all four days of the course, and to complete three assignments in total between the sessions.
Participants should have their own computers, with software installed according to pre-event instructions sent by email.
Participants may wish to use an external audio interface or MIDI controller, however neither are required.
TIMETABLE
All sessions from 18:30-20:30 Central European Time.
Pre-workshop: participants should make sure all software required is installed and configured before the first session. Detailed instructions will be sent once participation is confirmed.
TUE 22.10.20: Installation questions, introduction to Vector Synthesis principles (vector vs raster images), introduction to Pure Data environment, working with signals to generate sound and image, first assignment.
THU 24.10.20: Viewing of first assignments, assignment questions, working with 2D and 3D image files, external audio inputs, second assignment.
TUE 27.10.20: Viewing of second assignments, assignment questions, working with digital image and video files (scan processing), MIDI and presets, third assignment.
THU 29.10.20: Viewing of third assignments, assignment questions, working with hardware (oscilloscopes, vector monitors, Vectrex consoles, ILDA laser displays), capturing with video cameras, conclusions.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have written at least three Pure Data compositions, one of which will be chosen and recorded to video for public presentation on the Vasulka Kitchen website.
HOW TO APPLY
Please write an email to Vasulka Kitchen vasulkakitchen@gmail.com with the subject line VECTOR SYNTHESIS WORKSHOP by the end of 04 OCT 2020 (23:59 CET). In this email, please describe:
Your artistic background.
Why you are interested in taking this workshop.
Any experience you have with the creation of sound, moving image, and/or interactive media on the computer.
We will make a selection to ensure the most diverse group possible, and inform the selected participants by the end of 06 OCT 2020.
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR
Derek Holzer (USA 1972) is an audiovisual artist, researcher, lecturer, and electronic instrument creator based in Stockholm. He has performed live, taught workshops and created scores of unique instruments and installations since 2002 across Europe, North and South America, and New Zealand. He is currently a PhD researcher in Sound and Music Computing at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, focusing on historically informed sound synthesis design.
Posted in Announcement on February 14th, 2020 by admin
The Vector Synthesis workshop, led by sound and light artist Derek Holzer over three full days, investigates the direct relationship between sound and image. It draws inspiration from the media archaeology of computer graphics, and from obsolete technologies such as the Cathode Ray Tube monitor, combined with contemporary laser display techniques. This workshop is ideal for musicians, sound artists, and visual artists who want to work with laser imagery.
Participants will learn how to draw Lissajous figures, render simple two- and three-dimensional shapes, and process photographs and video into vector artwork which can be displayed on oscilloscopes and ILDA laser displays using audio signals. These vector shapes can also be further modified in real time using external audio sources such as voice, amplified instruments, or electronic synthesizers provided by the participants.
The core of the workshop will be ready-to-use examples written in the Pure Data programming language.
A presentation of pieces created in the workshop is planned for the final evening, where participants will show their creations on the laser with sound.
The language of this workshop is English. The fee for the participants is EUR 50. The maximum amount of participants is 12.
Requirements
• Experience with Pure Data is not required to participate, beginners are welcome. • Participants are required to attend all three days of the course • Participants are required to bring their own laptops with software installed according to pre-event instructions sent by email. • Participants should bring any external audio interface or MIDI controller they would like to use, however neither are required.
Timetable
28.2–1.3.2020, 12–18 daily The first day is devoted to a technical overview of possibilities, and the following two days to experimentation and development of a demo to be projected on the final evening. 1.3. 18–20 public presentation
How to apply?
The participants are chosen in order of enrollment. To apply, send mail (in Finnish or English) to valotaiteenseura@gmail.com, including your full name and phone number. The first applicants will get confirmation and instructions for paying the course fee. The fee must be paid in three days and is non-refundable.
There’s a quota of 50% for members of FLASH (the Finnish Light Art Society Helsinki). This only applies to members, whose membership fee has been paid. Please state your membership status, if you’re applying in this quota.
Workshop Supervisor
Derek Holzer (USA 1972) is a sound + light artist based in Helsinki & Berlin, whose current interests include DIY electronics, audiovisual instrument building, the relationship between sound and space, media archaeology, and participatory art forms. He has performed live, taught workshops and created scores of unique instruments and installations since 2002 across Europe, North and South America, and New Zealand. http://macumbista.net
Holzer will be assisted in this workshop by sound and visual artist Jani Hietanen, who is also a student of Sound in New Media at Aalto University.
Posted in Announcement on January 15th, 2020 by admin
I’m proud to announce the next Vector Synthesis workshop, taking place Feb 08-09 2020 at New River Studios in London.
The Vector Synthesis workshop investigates the direct relationship
between sound+image. It draws inspiration from the media archaeology of
computer graphics, and from obsolete technologies such as the Cathode
Ray Tube monitor, combined with contemporary laser display techniques.
This workshop is ideal for musicians, sound artists, VJs, and visual
artists who want to work with oscilloscope or laser imagery.
Participants will learn how to draw Lissajous figures, render simple
two- and three-dimensional shapes, and process photographs and video
into vector artwork which can be displayed on oscilloscopes and ILDA
laser displays using audio signals. These vector shapes can also be
further modified in real time using external audio sources such as
voice, amplified instruments, or electronic synthesizers provided by the
participants.
Posted in Announcement on June 16th, 2019 by admin
VECTOR SYNTHESIS WORKSHOP 12-14 JULY 2019
The Vector Synthesis workshop investigates the direct relationship between sound+image. It draws inspiration from media archaeology and obsolete technologies such as the Cathode Ray Tube monitor, combined with contemporary laser display techniques. This workshop is ideal for musicians, sound artists, and visual artists who want to work with oscilloscope or laser imagery.
Participants will learn how to draw Lissajous figures, render simple two- and three-dimensional shapes, and process photographs and video into vector artwork which can be displayed on oscilloscopes, Vectrex consoles, and ILDA laser displays using audio signals which can also be heard. These vector shapes can also be further modified in real time using external audio sources such as voice, amplified instruments, or electronic synthesizers provided by the participants.
An informal presentation of pieces created in the workshop is planned for the final evening, where participants can show their creations on Vectrex or laser.
The core of the workshop will be examples written in the Pure Data programming language. Experience with Pure data is not required to participate, beginners are welcome. Detailed instructions on how to install and set up Pure Data, as well as a software oscilloscope emulator so you can see your work without special hardware, will be sent to registered participants.
The language of this workshop is English. Participants are required to bring their own laptops with software installed according to pre-event instructions sent by email.
DURATION
This is one continuous workshop of three days, 6 hours per day including a break to eat.
Participation on individual days is not possible except by special arrangement.
—FRI 12 JULY 12-18:00
—SAT 13 JULY 12-18:00
—SUN 14 JULY 12-18:00
—Max participants: 8
—Lunch (vegetarian/vegan on request) will be served each day.
The Vector Synthesis workshop investigates the direct relationship between sound+image. It draws inspiration from media archaeology and obsolete technologies such as the Cathode Ray Tube monitor, combined with contemporary laser display techniques. Participants will learn how to draw Lissajous figures, render simple two- and three-dimensional shapes, and process photographs and video into vector artwork which can be displayed on oscilloscopes, Vectrex consoles, and ILDA laser displays using audio signals which can also be heard. These vector shapes can also be further modified in real time using external audio sources such as voice, amplified instruments, or electronic synthesizers provided by the participants.
The core of the workshop will be examples written in the Pure Data programming language. Detailed instructions on how to install and set up Pure Data, as well as a software oscilloscope emulator so you can see your work without special hardware, will be sent to registered participants.
The language of this workshop is English. Participants are required to bring their own laptops with software installed according to pre-event instructions sent by email.
DURATION This is one continuous workshop of three days, 5 hours per day. Participation on individual days is not possible. —FRI 05 JULY 12-17:00 —SAT 06 JULY 12-17:00 —SUN 07 JULY 12-17:00 —Max participants: 14 (50% will be students from Humboldt University, so 7 tickets are available for outside participants)
LOCATION Signallabor, Humboldt University of Berlin, Georgenstraße 47, Raum 2.26 (2nd floor), Berlin Germany
With kind thanks to Dr. Stefan Höltgen, the Signallabor, and Humboldt University for their generous sponsorship of the event location.
Posted in Announcement on February 15th, 2019 by admin
I am proud to announce the following confirmed dates, including two public Pure Data workshops for creating audiovisual vector graphics for the oscilloscope, Vectrex, and ILDA laser plus several performances, for my tour of the USA in February and March 2019
25 FEB – 07 MAR ::: Vector Hacking Workshop ::: Dept. of Media Arts and Technology, University of California, Santa Barbara CA https://www.mat.ucsb.edu/
15-16 MAR ::: Vector Synthesis Performance + Lecture ::: Lafayette Electronic Arts Festival, Lafayette CO Free entry! http://leafcolorado.org/leaf2019/
19-20 MAR ::: Vector Synthesis Workshop ::: Dept. of Digital + Media, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence RI http://www.digitalmedia.risd.edu/
21 MAR ::: Vector Synthesis Live ::: With Victoria Shen, Andrea Pensado, and Shawn Greenlee / Mark Cetilia Machines with Magnets, Pawtucket RI http://www.machineswithmagnets.com
22 MAR ::: Vector Synthesis Live ::: With Jonas Bers, Mike Sidnam, Paloma Kop, VX Bliss, and Dead Lion Secret Project Robot, Brooklyn NY Posted soon at https://www.secretprojectrobot.org
With undying gratitude to Marko Peljhan, Matthew Rempes, Kathy Hardin, David Fodel, Shawn Greenlee, Mark Cetilia, Victoria Shen, Jonas Bers, Mike Sidnam, Paloma Kop, Bob Bellerue, Sofy Yuditskaya, and Carol Parkinson.
Posted in Announcement on September 19th, 2018 by admin
We are very excited to publish the VectorHack Festival 2018 lineup today. I really feel like we have invited some of the most brilliant minds in the field of experimental, audiovisual vector graphics to Zagreb and Ljubljana for one week (01-07 OCT 2018) of hacking, presentations, keynote talks, workshops, and live performances.
In Zagreb, I will demonstrate my Vector Synthesis library for Pure Data on 02.10.18 and give the keynote lecture “A Media Archaeology of Vector Graphics” on 03.10.18, while in Ljubljana I will perform the Vector Synthesis set live on 05.10.18.
The Vector Hack participants:
Philip Baljeu / Jonas Bers / Stefanie Bräuer / Hrvoslava Brkušić / Ted Davis / Andrew Duff / Jerobeam Fenderson / Darko Fritz / Robert Henke / Ida Hiršenfelder / Derek Holzer / members of Kikimore (Staša Guček / Sara Mlakar / Nina Orlić / Barbara Poček) / Chris King / Vanda Kreutz / Roland Lioni / Ivan Marušić Klif / Alberto Novell / Douglas Nunn / Hansi Raber / Bernhard Rasinger / Joost Rekveld
16 & 17 Jun 2018, 11:00 — 17:00
Location: Kuusi Palaa, Kolmas linja 7, 00530 Helsinki, Finland
During this two-day workshop, you will explore the direct relationship between sound and image.
Using the Pure Data programming environment, you can directly control the vertical and horizontal movements, as well as the brightness, of a beam of light. You will then investigate Lissajous figures, 3D models, Rutt-Etra video scan processing, and other audio-driven visual shapes and forms which can be displayed and manipulated in real time on an XY oscilloscope, or with oscilloscope emulating software directly on your laptop.
The participation fee for this workshop is EUR 50, with a 10% discount for Kuusi Palaa members. The workshop runs from 11:00 to 17:00 each day.
Posted in Announcement on December 28th, 2017 by admin
Derek Holzer, Vector Synthesis workshop
Building: Piksel Studio 207, Bergen NO
Dates: 9-11 March 2018
Time: tba
All workshops are free entrance. To sign up send an email to: prod(at)piksel(dot)no
VECTOR SYNTHESIS is an audiovisual, computational art project using sound synthesis and vector graphics display techniques to investigate the direct relationship between sound+image. It draws on the historical work of artists such as Mary Ellen Bute, John Whitney, Nam June Paik, Ben Laposky, and Steina & Woody Vasulka among many others, as well as on ideas of media archaeology and the creative re-use of obsolete technologies. Audio waveforms control the vertical and horizontal movements as well as the brightness of a single beam of light, tracing shapes, points and curves with a direct relationship between sound and image.
The Vector Synthesis library allows the creation and manipulation of 2D and 3D vector shapes, Lissajous figures, and scan processed image and video inputs using audio signals sent directly to oscilloscopes, hacked CRT monitors, Vectrex game consoles, ILDA laser displays, or oscilloscope emulation softwares using the Pure Data programming environment.
During this workshop, you will learn how to use a custom library in the Pure Data programming environment to directly control the vertical and horizontal movements, as well as the brightness, of a beam of light. You will then explore Lissajous figures, waveform representations, and other multiplexed, audio-driven visual shapes and forms which can be displayed and manipulated in real time on an XY oscilloscope, Vectrex game console, ILDA laser display, and other analog vector displays, or with oscilloscope emulating software directly on your laptop.
Derek Holzer (USA 1972) is an audiovisual artist, researcher, lecturer, and electronic instrument creator based in Stockholm. He has performed live, taught workshops and created scores of unique instruments and installations since 2002 across Europe, North and South America, and New Zealand. He is currently a PhD researcher in Media & Interaction Design at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, focusing on historically informed audiovisual synthesis.
