Alternative performance interfaces

I’m a big proponent of getting out from behind the laptop screen and especially just getting out from behind the table that most electronic live acts tend to stand behind.

I found this passage in Hans-Christoph Steiner’s piece in the Bang Book:

> Performers of live computer music generally stare at the screen intently while performing, rather than interacting with the audience. What the performer is staring at is obviously impor- tant, judging by the intensity of the stare. However, what the performer is looking at is out of view for the audience. This is in stark contrast to traditional musical instruments, where the instrument is generally in plain view, and the audience is familiar with the mechanisms of that instrument. The absense of these two qualities further alienates the performer from the audi- ence. This alienation can be alleviated when the musician can perform using an expanded range of gestures. The performer can come out from behind the computer screen, bringing back a closer connection between audience and performer.

I think that this is one of the reasons that live PA acts tend to lose out to rock acts and DJs. Hans-Christoph mentions The Hands which was conceived by Michael Waisvisz. He has built and rebuilt this interface over the years. I think that is part of the process. As your knowledge increases, new ideas are added to the instrument and outmoded ones discarded. This is part of what I mean when I talk about the instrument configuration being part of the performance.