Fragments #43-44

‘Fragments #43-44’ is an interactive device project by Gauthier Keyaerts, in collaboration with François Zajéga, Yacine Sebti and the Numediart institute / Mons University. Its core concept relies on both technology and improvisation.

‘Fragments #43-44’ was originally conceived as a music instrument which would allow to work with sound in a purely physical way (ie with one's body), yet with no direct contact with any object whatsoever. Its operating principle is simple: visitors take place in front of a motion sensing camera which detects gestures and translates them into actions on sound and images. Once immersed in what is both a digital sound universe and a real music instrument, the visitor uses the movements of his/her body to navigate through a series of sound banks, which is renewed prior to every public performance. The content of these sound banks may range from abstract textures to vocal or environmental recordings, and can therefore be conceived with a precise theme in mind if necessary.

In this process, the body can trigger and spatialize sounds (which then move around the performer), and specific gestures are used to loop them, activate effects, or alter a sound's volume, speed, etc. These actions in turn influence François Zajéga's generative visual system in real time: the immersive aspect of the experience is thus enhanced through an added sense of synesthesia. Sounds are given a visual shape, a more concrete aspect, sound being perceptively way more abstract than images can be. One can therefore improvise a unique composition of the instant.

When performing, Gauthier Keyaerts acts as both a conductor and a human interface between sounds, machines and images. Absorbed in this sound world, Gauthier draws from the depths of his subconscious in order to create new forms. Such an experience is available to the public when the system is presented as an art installation, allowing anyone to not only see and hear, but feel its creative potential. (‘Fragments #43-44’ is a project financed by the digital arts division of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, and co-produced by the numediart Institute as well as Transcultures, and SMart.)

It would be shown as documentary during Nov. 16 to Nov. 22. The following is the description of this video:

‘Fragments #43-44’ is an interactive project (premiered at festival City Sonic in 2012 and developed since then) intiated by musician Gauthier Keyaerts featuring visuals by digital artist François Zajéga. It is as a music instrument which would allow to work with sound in a purely physical way (ie with one's body), yet with no direct contact with any object whatsoever.

Project/sounds: Gauthier Keyaerts - Visuals-François Zajega - Promotional video directed by Jonas Luyckx – Production: Transcultures, numediart with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Federation Wallonia-Brussels (digital arts).