VIVUS

about:

The Vivus Project (VIVUS) is an interactive art installation piece that houses various technological platforms and effectively streamlines their otherwise independent operations into one functional, open source control system. Specifically, VIVUS takes the proprietary control schemes of audio, video and lighting formats and collectively converts them into the Musical Instrument Digital Interface; otherwise known as MIDI.

VIVUS doesn’t stop there, however, as it also reinvents the types of tools traditionally employed to send and receive MIDI data: by utilizing independently created software applications such as TouchOSC and Osculator, seemingly disparate hardware control mechanisms (the motion-sensing Nintendo Wii-Mote and Apple’s own multi-touch capacitive iPhone, to name a few) are metamorphosed into exciting and surprisingly intuitive audio, video and lighting manipulation instruments.

In the same vein, VIVUS takes advantage of open source software programming languages and hardware electronics prototyping platforms – such as Processing and Arduino, respectively – by building custom architectures that reconfigure the way that the various formats interact with one another – where a live video feed can be instantly transposed through a myriad of LEDs; and the melodies of a musician’s instrument generate equally harmonious imagery.

Developed upon the principles of open source culture and design, VIVUS – in the immediate sense – aims at providing an entirely reproducible, cost-efficient blueprint for any and all who wish to synchronize, simplify, and concurrently command more control of their audio / visual presentations. To a greater extent, VIVUS hopes to encourage artists to rethink the limits of what they can achieve on the independent level; as well as promote the bridging of the gap between performer and spectator – that is, creating systems that take audience interaction into account.

materials / sources:

hardware:
– 5′ x 3′ Plexiglass
– Peggy 2 LED board with RED LEDs
– Interactive LED panels from www.evilmadscience.com
– Samsung LCD Screen
– Arduino Chip
– Webcam
– (2) CK Color Blast 6 from www.dslgroup.com
– Macbook Pro

software:
– Ableton live
– Modul8
– Touch OSC
– Osculator
– Processing
– Arduino