Ensemble of Six - 2023

Matthew Nazarian, Kunal Devi, Xinzhou Zhang, & Zubin Isaac

Ensemble of Six is an interactive installation that explores the relationship between computational observation and physical activation in real-time. Using computer vision, serial communication, and Processing, the installation enables viewers to manipulate a set of acrylic chimes through gesture-based interactions. A webcam continuously monitors the physical space, analyzing hand movements via a Processing program that interprets the data and sends commands to an Arduino Nano 33 IoT. In response, a servo motor actuates a boom that strikes the chimes, creating dynamic, responsive soundscapes.

The installation uses serial communication to bridge the gap between digital sensing and physical actuation, demonstrating how software and hardware intersect to create interactive experiences. The generated sounds are amplified through a contact microphone and further processed using a Eurorack synthesizer, transforming human gestures into an evolving auditory composition.

Ensemble of Six invites participants to engage with sound in a tactile and embodied way, exploring the relationship between performer, instrument, and environment.