Twice Stepped in Still Waters: Sonification and Interdisciplinarity as Artistic Research

Abstract

Real-time EEG and sensor data sonification have been researched extensively. New implementations of these technologies in the fields of live electronic music performance and sonic art generally focus on instrumentalising brain waves as an interface, or are concerned with controlling brain waves through biofeedback. Twice Stepped in Still Waters is instead concerned with using bio and sensor feedback as a focused framework accommodating phenomenological listening for the performer. Furthermore, when presented before an audience, this activity results in circumstances for sound and listening (music). Currently available high-resolution consumer devices and open-source software have now rendered these technologies accessible to a wide pool of researchers from a variety of fields. The present work uses sonified real-time EEG and accelerometer data to situate phenomenological concerns of the performance situation within the field of artistic research. Discussion of the technical development and artistic context for the piece reveals a broad interdisciplinary scope. Twice Stepped in Still Waters may be therefore read as a case study offering an implementation and a performance methodology for sonification and focused listening afforded by these sensor technologies. Variations on the approaches described may be applied by other investigators working within or outside of the domain of artistic research.