THE CASE STUDY OF AN APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM, ‘ BODYSUIT ‘ AND ’ROBOTICMUSIC’ – ITS INTRODUCTION AND AESTHETICS

By SUGURU GOTO

ABSTRACT

This paper is intended to introduce the system, which combines “BodySuit” and “RoboticMusic,” as well as its possibilities and its uses in an artistic application. “BodySuit” refers to a gesture controller in a Data Suit type. “RoboticMusic” refers to percussion robots, which are applied to a humanoid robot type. In this paper, I will discuss their aesthetics and the concept, as well as the idea of the “Extended Body”.

INTRODUCTION

The system, which I introduce in this paper contains both a gesture controller and automated mechanical instruments at the same time. In this system, the Data Suit, “BodySuit” controls the Percussion Robots, “RoboticMusic” in real time. “BodySuit” doesn’t contain a hand-held controller. A performer, for example a dancer wears a suit. Gestures are transformed into electronic signals by sensors. “RoboticMusic” contains 5 robots that play different sorts of percussion instruments. The movement of the robots is based upon the gestures of the percussionist.

Working together with “BodySuit” and “RoboticMusic,” the idea behind the system is that a human body is augmented by electronic signals in order to be able to perform musical instruments interactively. This system was originally conceived in an art project to realize a performance/musical theater composition.

This paper is intended to introduce this system as well as the possibilities from my experiences in an artistic application.

THE DRAWBOTS

By PAUL BROWN, BILL BIGGE, JON BIRD, PHIL HUSBANDS, MARTIN PERRIS, DUSTIN STOKES

INTRODUCTION

In 2005 an international, multi-disciplinary, inter-institutional group of researchers began a three-year research project that is attempting to use evolutionary and adaptive systems methodology (genetic algorithms, neural networks, etc…) to make an embodied robot that can exhibit creative behaviour by making marks or drawing (in the most general sense). The research is popularly known as the DrawBots Project. The research group is composed of computer and cognitive scientists, philosophers, artists, art theorists and historians. One outcome of the project will be a large-scale art installation of a group of DrawBots. Other outcomes will include the various research publications reflecting the vested interests of the group both as independent researchers and as a group.

There are a number of motivations for the project including the production of machine-created art and the exploration of whether it is possible to develop (minimally) creative artificial agents and the research has two, mutually dependent, contextual frameworks. One concerns methodologies for making an agent that has the potential for manifesting autonomous creative behaviour. The second concerns methodologies for recognising such behaviour. Another emphasis is attempting to place this work in an art historical context. Amongst the key concepts that the project is examining are: personality, autonomy, value, signature, purpose, novelty, embodiment, social context, environmental interaction, ownership and so on…