callum fowler - portfolio

Orbs

Orbs is a midi visualiser built in openFrameworks. I wanted to build a visualiser for live performance. Orbs uses midi data to create generative visuals on screen and works with both single channel and multi channel midi devices.

Watch the performance video below for a demonstration of Orbs working alongside Orca (a live coding framework), and Ableton.

Made with openframeworks [c++]

Performance

My Ecology

My Ecology is an artwork which places the subject (a person) as the host for an invasive parasite (the pixelated mould). At that point the subject and the digital parasite enter an 'ecological' relationship. The result can be explicitly seen by the subject as the mould is grown over their image. The project asks users to consider what their environmental impact is on the earth and how can they limit the amount of 'mould' they generate in the real world.

The amount of mould grown over the subject is based on the amount of carbon dioxide their home nation produces. Before running the software the user can determine which country they want to use. The data has been gathered from the European Commission's 2018 report on nation's carbon dioxide emissions. The software only focuses on the total amount of co2 released.

The end result was a print which was displayed at Goldsmiths during the Push, Pop, Repeat exhibition.

Made with processing [java]

European Commission Report

The Happy Computer

The happy computer is an interactive installation which places the computer as a friendly entity that people can communicate with. The entity is called 'Happie', and it has the ability to have a full conversation with the attendee. Human-computer interaction (HCI) is the main focus of this project as the piece explores the relationship between the two parties.

I was interested in developing a system which did not rely on voice, but instead uses gestures to communicate. The user is limited to selecting one of two choices giving the computer the agency to lead the conversation, reversing the usual roles that humans and computers occupy.

Made with openframeworks [c++]

Trailer

Human and Computer

This performance explores the co-performance relationship between humans and computers. It has been designed for an electric guitarist, however any instrument that can be picked up by a microphone or connected to a line input can be used in this performance. The piece encourages the Human to choose an instrument they can express themselves with which the Computer will respond to in order to create the composition.

The system is built on delay lines, used to control the voice of the computer as well as creating the sound texture and composition. Delay lines make the performers consider repetition and rhythm as a key part of the composition. Ideas of call-response and improvisation also create an ever evolving sound scape which only ends when the performers decide to.

This piece has been performed at Goldsmiths' Can everyone see my screen? online exhibition.

Made with MaxMSP

Performance

Flow

Flow is a piece of installation art exploring ideas of complex movement and particle systems. It was designed to mimic movements found in whirlpools, and create a calm and relaxing experience for the viewer. The piece makes use of projection mapping, bringing it into the physical world. This makes the experience more immersive and impactful as people can view the piece from many different angles.

A custom physics engine was written for the artwork including the use of flow fields. When prototyping flow I was interested in how different intialisation parameters affect the underlying flow fields. I decided to give the four pools their own behaviours and particle types. I also created three distinct scenes, which made it more engaging for the viewers to watch over its three minute run time.

This piece was displayed at Goldsmiths' Push, Pop, Repeat exhibition.

Made with openframeworks [c++]

Trailer