Ghost Misadventures & Alien Peepshow

This project focused on exploring the integration of audio and visual elements in live performance, addressing two key questions: How could pre-made digital elements mediate live performance, and how could audio and visual elements interact with balanced importance?

The project was done for Expanded Cinema, taught by Suzie Silver. The class was structured around group work and a final show night. For this final night, I worked on setting up the “Alien Peepshow” installation with Kate and Noah, and performing a live set with Lenora VJing and me DJing via Ableton.

Throughout the semester, I rehearsed live performances with the class members, testing various equipment and instruments in the class inventory to design and refine sets. After a few experimental setups, I decided that for the end-of-semester exhibition I would contribute work done via TouchDesigner, Ableton, a LaunchPad, and a MIDI keyboard. My setup for the Alien installation used TDAbleton to read MIDI notes into TouchDesigner to trigger images and clips.

For the end-of-semester exhibition, I continued to improve and expand the setups with group members, adding new content and enhancing the code to allow for more live input. We also incorporated set pieces and costumes, sourcing equipment like projectors and speakers from the class’s inventory or CMU.

I have never worked with installation with projection or sound elements before, and that was also something I am curious about expanding within my practice. I think that having access to audio software will be useful for continuing parts of my practice.