TOSHIO IWAI – COMPOSITION ON THE TABLE

source: 235mediade

CLIENT: KUNST- UND AUSSTELLUNGSHALLE DER BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
APRIL TIL JUNE 1999

COMPOSITION ON THE TABLE is an interactive installation that allows several visitors at the same time to develop musical compositions in real-time. Besides, Iwai presents a new visualisation of complex musical contexts with the help of simple symbols.

The table construction based upon computer software developed by Iwai presents a simple interface. It consists of a grid of 36 push buttons combined with a data projector. The projector is situated on the ceiling above the table. The projection technique shows simple graphic symbols referring to the push button and allowing for the selection of various “instruments”. By pushing various combinations of the buttons, the looped musical compositions can be started and changed; furthermore, they can be experienced graphically by watching their projection on the table

This new combination of graphics, electronic music and simple interface offers infinite possibilities of musical design. Toshio Iwai presents two new table constructions with a diameter of 120 cm. They are part of a series of table installations that he has been creating since 1998.
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source: siggraphorg

Composition on the Table is a series of artwork which represent the concept of Minex Reality. Four white tables have various user interfaces such as switches, dials, turn-tables and sliding boards that a player can touch. Projectors suspended from the ceiling project computer generated images onto the tables and interfaces. Projected images change in real time as if they were physically attached to the interfaces when players operate them. Also sounds are produced in relation to the movement of images. Since the interfaces have close relation to the reaction of images, players can operate images and sounds in the same way when he/she operates ordinary interfaces and gradually feels these illusions as equivalent as the actual objects.

The aim of these works is to allow players and audiences to share the world of Mixed Reality thus produced and collaborate to create images and sounds interactively.