Magnetic springs: Musical performance for telechord and spring interface

Abstract

Magnetic Springs is a musical performance that investigates links between the tangible and intangible through virtual and physical artist-designed instruments that transform human actions into sonic and visual form. It features the Telechord, a digital polyphonic theremin controlled by whole body movement, and a magnetic spring interface constructed of steel compression springs attached to contact microphones. Both systems are designed to encourage play, improvisation and self-Awareness through the body. Embodied sketching methods influence the development of novel choreographies and exploration of sound-movement relationships. The processes foster kinaesthetic skills while refining the movement nuances of the performer. They attune the performer to the slightest shifts in posture in relation to pitch, rhythm and reverberation, refining the auditory, kinaesthetic and visual senses simultaneously. The work embraces the potential of conscious embodied engagement in performance to promote self-reflection and idea generation.