Immersive Lab
The ‘Immersive Lab’ is an artistic and technological research project of the Institute of Computer Music and Sound Technology at the Zurich University of the Arts founded by Jan C. Schacher and Daniel Bisig. It is a media space that integrates panoramic video, surround audio with full touch interaction on the entire screen surface. The ‘Immersive Lab’ provides a platform for a catalogue of artistic works that are specifically tailored to the unique situation that this configuration offers. These works articulate the relationship between immersive media and direct interaction. It functions both as a space for experimental learning and creation and as a permanent audiovisual installation for the general public, showing finished pieces in a self-explanatory way.This installation as a platform is the fruit of several years of investigation and artistic creation. The term Immersion is used in a broader sense. Apart from spatial envelopment by image and sound, additional levels of immersions are generated for the visitors: they enter into a dedicated physical space, direct tactile interaction on the panoramic surface enhances their personal engagement, and finally within the shared space arise group behaviour and social interactions. Such an extended form of immersion provides a multi-faceted experience.The compositions can be collaboratively created and combine visual and sonic material with generative and algorithmic methods. The artistic approach focuses on real-time pieces that react to visitor interaction and that take advantage of the panoramic nature of the installation.
Different forms of engagement are possible within the installation. The audience can freely explore the works and experience different types of perceptions. Artists can experiment with the development of compositional strategies for working with different senses and artistic domains. The installation exposes foundational aspects of immersion such as spatial and multi-sensory perception, which provide interesting topics for investigation.Work in the ‘Immersive Lab’ happens in different phases, activities, and addresses different people. In a teaching context, in general, any student can visit the lab in guided tours. Students majoring in electronic music or media arts, however, are invited to actively learn by exploring the inner workings of existing pieces. Artists and advanced students have the opportunity to become involved more intensely by creating entirely new pieces. For this, the ICST offers to share its experience, methods, and tools for development and realization of ideas for this particular media space. Finally, in the exhibition context, general audiences are invited to experience the catalogue of works.
Rezonancija - Audiovisual Interactive Installation for Immersive Lab
Rezonancija is an audiovisual interactive installation created for the ICST project, Immersive Lab. The Immersive Lab is an artistic work that integrates panoramic video and surround audio with a full touch interaction. For the purpose of the composition Rezonancija, the touch surface is divided into four sections used for the receiving touch information, as well as for the audiovisual projection. All sections use a same system of haptic interaction, but they have different audiovisual characteristics. The audiovisual effects are based on a high-frequency repetition of content. The sounds are repeated by using audio feedback systems, while the video content is repeated by using fast object moves between defined positions. The visitors get a live audiovisual response by touching the screens. They change parameters of feedback systems and position of video objects by changing touch coordinates. There are three different parts characterized by different types of audiovisual objects, which are changed after a certain amount of time. All visitors create individual audiovisual effects whereupon created sounds pass summarized through a special recursive resonant system and being reproduced like a unified whole. In this way, the visitors create a resonance that is a sum of their individual actions.
Bojan Milosevic / Jan C. Schacher
The Immersive Lab: An interactive audio‐visual space for artistic exploration.
In: Proceedings of Korean Electro-Acoustic Music Society’s 2015 Annual Conference (KEAMSAC2015) Seoul, Korea, 2-3 October 2015
Abstract:
This article discusses the Immersive Lab, an artistic and technological research project of the Institute of Computer Music and Sound Technology at the Zurich University of the Arts. The installation is a media space that integrates panoramic video, surround audio with full touch interaction on its screens. The main characteristics of this project as well as the way of functioning and organisation of installation structure are exposed. Through examples of completed artistic works the possibilities provided by the Immersive Lab environment are highlighted, and the realisation of various ideas by a number of artists shows the potential and limitations of this idea.
PDF: http://immersivelab.zhdk.ch/downloads/2015_KEAMSAC_Milosevic_Schacher_ImmersiveLab.pdf
More information is available at: http://immersivelab.zhdk.ch