'COURSE 1: A, A, A' (continuous experiment of Quad 1)
Concept
This project explores Samuel Becketts 1981 televised play 'Quad 1' using Max MSP to further investigate the correlation between colour and percussion. One, then two, then three, then four figures create a sequence, each describing half or part of a Quad (an abbreviation for Quadrangle). The play is seen as one of Becketts most formal works, having been given multiple interpretations on what exactly it means. An example of this is in an Article by Baylee Brits called 'Ritual, Code, and Matheme in Samuel Beckett's Quad' she states that "Quad, brings together the representional conventions of ritual, computational code and matheme" [1] Baylee goes on to say that, Becketts plays during this period in his career all stem from his concept of the 'unword' which rebels against the use of linguistics/language.
After discovering Baylees article stating that Quad explores 'computational code' and Becketts 'unword' concept i have become interested in the idea of using technology as a means of communication. This interest heightened after being introduced to MaxMSP and discovering the possibility of creating a colour tracker that was able to control audio by means of computer vision
MaxPatch/Tests
Patch2 (Future)
Patch (current)
Illustration/Setup
Where i Want to Bring this Project
Although it wasn't possible to do a performance i would like to continue building on this project in the future. In regards to the colour tracking patch i will need to seriously improve it so that it can track multiple colours smoothly and in quick succession. I would also like to look into the possibility of using a physical instrument that is played through Max, creating a more engaged computer performance.