Computer running hot . . .

I am working on completing the Uileann Pipe piece this evening/afternoon. I think I am having some allergies here in Amsterdam. My head feels like it's full of cotton. The computer is running a bit hot so I am going to get a sandwich and then take a nap. Then back to the studio.

If any of you care to get into it, I am currently using Skype to call friends around the world. It's the VOIP man, Voice Over Internet Protocal. You might want to look into it.

jg

Tired . . .

I am physically spent. That is tired . . . I can see now the toll of finishing a PhD is about to hit. This is not going to be pretty. I might disappear for a bit. I leave STEIM tomorrow and return to Belfast to write, write, write . . . My head is foggy all the time and all I want to do is sleep. It's the pressure, the stress . . . but, I realize the only way to alleviate this is to get it done. So, I am off to make it all go away . . .

Camargo . . .

I was walking around yesterday getting a few things together for dinner when I received a phone call from the Camargo Foundation in St Louis. It appears I am being awarded a Camargo Fellowship. I am dumbstruck. It is so unexpected.

Angela and I will be heading off to Cassis, France beginning in September and returning in mid-December. During this time I will be focusing on a large-scale performance work utilizing many of the tools and skills I have been working on here at STEIM. It is going to be a wonderful, creative summer. The first photo here is La Leque which was built by Jerome Hill in the 1960's. It currently serves as the composer's studio and residence. It was Hill who established the Camargo Foundation in 1967 to assist both academic research in the humanities and social sciences and artistic projects by painters, composers, film-makers and writers. Hill was an amazing character who, unfortunately, I know little about. I look forward to discovering more of this interesting man. The second photo is an interior shot of the studio. There is no guarantee that I will be working in this studio, but it looks so beautiful! Again, this is so unexpected.

It's a very warm Spring day today in Amsterdam. How could I possibly go into the studio? I hope it rains so I can get some work done. STEIM is really a fantastic place.

Richard Pearlman

On a sad note, Richard Pearlman died this past Saturday. I worked for Richard as his first assistant at the Lyric Opera Centre for American Artist from 1997-2000. He was a resourceful man who was quick thinking and approached every challenge with an amazing amount of energy. He was very supportive of my artistic work outside of the Opera and gave me my first big break, the sound design gig for The Dybbuk, Shulamit Rann's opera premiered by LOCAA. I ran into Richard about three years ago on a rainy night on Daley Plaza in Chicago. I told him I would call him, I never got around to it. I regret that. Richard is, in a way, responsible for where I am today. Thank you Richard.

jg

Day 3 and 4 . . .

We finished up our introduction to LISA (LIve SAmpling) and junXion which routes MIDI information from USB devices. junXion works quite well, it is very flexible and LISA has some nice features too . . . though it's a bit buggy still and not so intuitive. I believe they are working on an update soon . . . the trick is to improve the functionality without losing the flexibility of the program. Perhaps they need an HCI person (Brock?)

On the hardware side, the Junxtion Box (photo right) is quite interesting. It provides connections for 8 continuous controllers (at 0-5 volts) and another 8 connections for analogue switches. The output for the board is Human Interface Device (HID) via USB. The boards are currently in BETA and I am seriously considering becoming a B-Tester for the program so I can play with the board and make some instruments. After the first few days, I really don't see how I could perform without an interface of some type. You have to have sensors to perform a computer. The keyboard/mouse paradigm is just too limiting. Even a mini-wacom tablet would be beneficial, possibly mounted to the right of the track pad on the laptop. So, my thoughts are, 'How to get this thing to be wireless so I can make some wearables?'

The most fun, however, has come from the accelerometers (or, tilt sensors). I was suprised by their ability to actually be quite 'playable'. On option, which is easy and effective, is the Gravis Destroyer TILT gamepad, which unfortunately they don't make anymore. In fact, there was a plethora of 'tilt sensitive' game controllers on the market about three years ago. Now, they are unfortunately all out of production. I am looking for any that might be around. Macally makes a similar model, there seem to be more of those around. So, I will try to buy a few of those first. Another option is the use of an accelerometer chip connected to the junXion box. Unfortunately, though the technology is the same, the chip option is expensive and requires some electronic gimickry. But, the junXion Box is going to require soldering anyway, so hey, why not?

So, that's it for this morning. Have been using Skype to stay in touch with Angela on the other side of the North Sea. I actually works quite well. Now, how about making it a performance device as well? The mini-residency is about to come to an end and I will have to return to Belfast to make my last stand at the PhD table. Then off to who knows where? Well, there will be a few gigs along the way. As soon as I finish this PhD I can get back to STEIM and work on the next portion of this wonderful journey. Hmmm . . . I leave you with a picture of me this morning . . .

Day two . . .

We went out last night and checked out the happening improvisational electronic scene here. It was fine. One guy too LOUD another guy toooooooo long. Well, what are you gonna do? The group of four that played in the middle was my favorite however. Well balanced, they listened to one another -- that's always 'nice'. Had a new Belgium beer: PALM. Light and well-balanced . .

Have been working with Junction a bit today. This is STEIM's software for turning USB controller information (joysticks, game pads, etc.) into MIDI control so that I can use it in the coputer. Though it is strange, the HI object in MSP already does this: but, their software handles all the mappings, etc and give you many options, including programming little loops and stuff.

OK, off to class now for more software review . . .

jg

Welcome to STEIM, here are your keys . . .

I arrived in Amsterdam around 3:00 pm. EasyJet, as ever, was about an hour late. But, we made up for lost time. Stefaan (from Bruxelles) has arrived and we await Nadine and Travis (who apparently is from my old stomping grounds, Austin, Texas). I am looking forward to beginning my residency and making some sounds. It looks to be a creative week.

Always one to make an entrance, I (somehow?) lodged my key in the front door of the guesthouse. They key still opened the door (thank god!) but it was just stuck in there. I didn't have a number for anyone in Holland so I ended up calling friends of friends, etc. and finally getting in contact with the site manager (jack of all trades) Nico. He came up the stairs with my key about 9:00 pm last night. 'How did you get that out of there?' I asked. 'I have tools,' he replied. 'Nuf said. Thank you Nico; I can see you pulling that lock apart in my head right now . . .

Stefaan and I stayed up a bit late, drank a bottle of Spanish wine and talked politics, music, etc. I bummed a cigarette and then went to bed.

I awoke this morning to banging, etc. I was informed that the Dutch have a propensity for 'blowing off' Monday mornings and not beginning their work week until about 1:00 on the Monday. Obviously that does not apply to the workmen re-doing the house outside my window.

It's a beautiful, clean city though and we are in the heart of it. The week begins at 12:00 today. I'll let you know how things are going.

jg

Off to STEIM . . .

Well I haven't written in a while. It's been quite busy. I am going to STEIM tomorrow to work on some concept for a large performance piece which I really won't have time to begin until after my viva -- that is, after I write my dissertation, etc. Probably will begin around September or something. Anyway, I will blog away during my residency (over the next week) and let you know what I am up to. OK, will write more tomorrow when I arrive in Amsterdam.

jg