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Science Gallery Melbourne · Residency and Opening

SCIENCE GALLERY MELBOURNE
“PUMP UP YOUR BLOOD”
FIRST ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AND NEW WORK COMMISSION
OPENING PERFORMANCE, INAUGURAL EXHIBITION “BLOOD: Attract & Repel”
2 August 2017

‘Pump up your blood’ is a generative multimedia performance and sonification work, commissioned for the opening of Science Gallery Melbourne’s inaugural exhibition.

Inspired by the sonic nature of blood-pressure readings, first described by the Russian physician Nikolai Korotkoff in 1905, the work turns the human heartbeat into music:

  • The heartbeats of more than 50 participants were recorded and used to program a synthesiser, turning it into a heartbeat keyboard.
  • In performance, hearts were sampled live with a digital stethoscope, and the heartbeats were looped live to form the rhythm of the composition and a beat bed for improvisation on electric cello, piano, the heartbeat keyboard and electronics.
  • Visualisations of the heartbeats, including 3D images of the heart, were synchronised with the live sound.

Four independent sound inputs created a generative, real-time, immersive and interactive audiovisual experience.

RESIDENCY AND MENTORING
Benjamin Skepper was the first artist in residence at Science Gallery Melbourne. He helped the Gallery co-develop its residency program, setting the model for the artists who followed.

As artist in residence he worked and mentored across disciplines:

  • He collaborated with PhD candidates from the Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces (SocialNUI) at the University of Melbourne, introducing them to audiovisual collaboration for live performance.
  • He mentored Master’s graduates of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, who then assisted in the technical production of the work.

The outcome was the artwork performed at the opening of the Gallery’s inaugural exhibition.

OFFICIAL PARTNERS
ThinkLabs, Yamaha Music Australia, Microsoft SocialNUI, RVS Designs, contrapuntal and LSS Productions.

PRODUCTION: contrapuntal
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Benjamin Skepper
VIDEOGRAPHY AND ANIMATION: Paul Rogers
VISUAL PROGRAMMING: Martin Reinoso Naranjo, Jie Wen, Thuong Hoang
SCIENCE GALLERY DIRECTOR: Rose Hiscock
CURATOR: Dr Ryan Jefferies
GALLERY PRODUCER: Lizzie Crouch