Mechanical Entanglement: A Collaborative Haptic-Music Performance

Abstract

Mechanical Entanglement is a musical composition for three performers. Three force feedback devices each containing two haptic faders are mutually coupled using virtual linear springs and dampers. During the composition, the performers feel each others’ gestures and collaboratively process the music material. The interaction’s physical modelling parameters are modified during the different sections of the composition. An algorithm which processthree stereo channels, is stretching in and out-of-sync three copies of the same music. The performers are controlling the stretching algorithm and an amplitude modulation effect, both applied to recognisable classical and contemporary music recordings. Each of them is substantially modifying the length and the dynamics of the music and issimultaneously affecting subtly or abruptly the gestural behaviour of the other performers. At fixed points during the composition, the music becomes gradually in sync and the performers realign their gestures. This phasing game between gestures and sound, creates tension and emphasises the physicality of the performance.