30.9.12

Principium, first public presentation

here's the pix of the first working prototype.. at least for the matrix/interface.
i like to think of it as the Principium v1.0



the internal casio clock drives a counter through an 8-step loop.
these 8 steps go into the 8x12 matrix.
so there's 12 outputs from the matrix, each one wired to a single note of a slightly restricted keyboard - just the one octave. very minimal indeed.
wherever you place a magnet on the board, that note gets played.





for the less technically inclined: stick a dot, dot goes 'Ping!'.
added bonus is that it has a nicely naive four-in-a-row/Twister-y vibe to it, so you don't even need to know exactly what you're doing to enjoy yerself. it's all a game, innit.


since it runs off the casio clock, it's actually in sync with the rhythm presets.
results range from strangely ethereal to, well, plain annoying. (especially WITH the rhythm presets.)

i still really want to lose the casio, but i have to admit that it works and looks better than expected.
it's so silly it's ok again, and it does seem to attract user interaction quite naturally.

here's a full installation view (Huis Hoste, Hasselt.)
blows my mind to think it was in an exhibition with an amazing work of the great Paul Panhuysen..
all in all, a nice first.