The Luminet
A luminet is a musical instrument which is controlled
by light. My luminet is intended specifically to be
controlled by laser pointers, although ambient light will
activate the device as well.
Depending what software is installed, the device can
emit raw audio, individual MIDI notes, or gated MIDI
sequences. I expect over time to support other control
paradigms as well.
The first deployment of my luminet was for a piece
called, generically enough, "Beam", at the famous
tiny festival of eclectic electronica, "Woodstockhausen".
(2001 September 15th, Boulder Creek, California.)
For "Beam" I instructed the audience to feel free to
use laser pointers at the stage, even though this is
traditionally considered rude. (Traditionally in the long
history of laser pointer use, I mean.) Fascinating dynamic.
One gentleman, a fellow performer no less!, pointed a
spot on my head for the whole piece. Go figure.
The second deployment of the luminet was at
CalArts, in Valencia California, at their 2002
CEAIT new music festival. Here is the
proposal
for the installation; alas I have no good photos
of that event.
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