The workshop “Human Input Device” invites the participants to explore unexpected interconnections between the human body and surrounding space in a full-immersion experience.

For this workshop, media artist Stanislav Glazov and performer Valentin Tszin developed an interactive environment where every movement generates unpredictable sequences of visuals and sounds. Controlled by TouchDesigner, this environment embodies the energy everything is made of. During the workshop, the artists will demonstrate various techniques and research developments allowing them to utilize the human body as an input for music and visual performance in a real-world setting.

The participants will learn how different digital technologies, such as depth cameras (Kinect, Leap Motion), sensors, and computer vision, can transform body movement into sound and visuals. They will explore the dynamics of the human body in the space where all the forces are gathered together to live out a unique history with various facets of human senses and feelings, and their numerous manifestations, existing simultaneously in multiple dimensions.

Part I - Sound
Starting with simple ideas like the Body Theremin, we will gradually move towards more complex movement interpretations.
During the workshop, the participants will analyze various factors such as movement intensity and distance from various objects to create new and innovative ways to produce music.

Part II - Visuals
For the workshop, Stanislav Glazov and Valentin Tszin developed an interactive environment where every movement generates sequences of visuals. Controlled by TouchDesigner, this environment embodies the energy everything is made of. During the workshop, the artists will demonstrate various techniques and research developments allowing them to utilize the human body as an input for generating visuals in a real-world setting.

Part III - Performance Techniques
The third part of the workshop will present various body practices for performance artists
Performance is a form of art that is gaining popularity all over the world. It involves the use of the body as a medium of expression and enables the artist to communicate a wide range of ideas and emotions to the audience. Performance artists engage in rigorous body practice to perfect their art and create performances that are both visually stunning and conceptually rich.

The practice of performance has a long and storied history, with roots in ancient cultures around the world. In many traditional societies, performance was an integral part of religious ceremonies and was used to communicate with the gods and spirits. In more recent times, performance art has been associated with avant-garde movements in the visual arts and has been used to challenge conventions and push boundaries.

Despite its popularity, performance art remains a challenging and demanding form of expression. Performance artists must be willing to push themselves physically and mentally and must be willing to take risks to create truly impactful work. Nevertheless, for those who are willing to put in the work, performance art offers a rich and rewarding means of creative expression.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential of using the human body as an input device for music production, as well as gain practical experience working with cutting-edge technology.