Lightspace Modulator – Lightspace Modulator

M. Ordinaire and the Istanbul Diversion

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024
by Lightspace Modulator

An Experiment in Transmedia Storytelling

This interactive installation at the Spring 2024 Brewery Artwalk involved multiple analog and digital media and was built around the story behind the first single from the rock opera The Continual Return of Dr. Ordinaire.

The narrative as presented musically in Victorian Passage is somewhat abstract and ambiguous (though “Victorian” suggests a time period, and the lyrics refer explicitly to travel). In this multiple-media “remix” we explore the chapter in more detail, where the travel is from Paris to the east, by rail.

An Interactive Exploration

By moving the viewing device left and right an explorer can examine the physical artifacts and evidence more closely; at the same time the digital elements in the video projection change as well. Furthermore, with movement across the physical/temporal timeline, the music also changes and modulates accordingly — so the “remix” is created interactively.

The result can be considered a sort of game or puzzle: can you piece together the clues and determine what happened to Monsieur Ordinaire after he boarded a train leaving Paris in 1931?

This installation combines multiple media, and the work of multiple Brewery artists: The large “map” painting is by Theodore Svenningsen (who also collaborated on narrative elements of this “chapter”), photography of the various characters in the opera is by Vern Evans; digital/interactive and analog assemblage elements by Pete (Lightspace Modulator).

Performance

RFxLSM

November 5, 2023April 7, 2024
by Lightspace Modulator

This is a live performance art collaboration between Europe and Los Angeles that began when Pete Johnson (a.k.a. Lightspace Modulator) had a chance meeting with Rick Feds at the Brewery Artwalk in Los Angeles, Spring 2023. Remote work followed towards furthering the art of tightly integrated music and visuals, all created live.

Here’s what the ongoing project looks like, back at the Brewery, one year later:

Brewery Artwalk open studios, Spring 2024, Los Angeles (photos by Toli)

Visit the project microsite for more: rickfeds.lightspacemodulator.com

Tools

VSx: A Visual Instrument

July 15, 2023July 21, 2023
by Lightspace Modulator

At the core of the Lightspace Modulator process is a custom-designed visual instrument called VSx; a bespoke performance interface and graphics machine, built on game engine technology. Combined with Ableton Live (and seamlessly integrated through a proprietary bi-directional real time protocol) it’s a complete live visual and audio performance solution.

The tool is designed to be controlled with a touchscreen interface as well as MIDI instruments such as keyboards and drum triggers. It can also control electronic instruments — meaning that in any given performance musical cues might be driving visuals, or visual cues might be driving musical instruments, or both, simultaneously. As the system is geared towards live performance, gestures and triggers by the performer are always an essential component of the mix.

The main VSx interface allows the performer to assemble dynamic three-dimensional compositions of any level of complexity in a real time, improvisatory manner.

A suite of custom plugins for Ableton Live provide the link between the audio and visual engines (while VSx is also capable of audio output, for live music performance and production Ableton is a more robust instrument).

While first and foremost a live performance instrument, VSx can also be used for linear presentations and storytelling, following a pre-programmed timeline (of course real time adjustments to the narrative are always an option in such scenarios).

The video discussion in Assemblage and Dynamism provides a bit more background on the theory behind this system and process.