SynaesthAsia: Dynamic, Live Music/Visual Spectacular from Musicians in Two Countries (Update)

Ms. Tizzy (center) and friends at a SynaesthAsia performance

I didn't get a chance to attend the recent premiere of SynaesthAsia, a buzzworthy project from two Resident musicians based in Japan and Taiwan, but fortunately, Bettina Tizzy of NPIRL and Osprey of SL Art News were there to document the show. 

It's impressive enough that Komuso Tokugawa in Tokyo and MoShang Zhao in Taiwan are able to jam together so well, but their soundscape is then enveloped in a fireworks display of particles-- controlled, Tokugawa-san tells Bettina, "with my prototype Generative Visuals System I developed up from my bio/neuro feedback," whatever that means. Osprey created a beautiful machinima of the event, a hypnotic montage of avatars dancing, twirling, and flying through crescendos of colored light. The music industry has spent these last few years wondering how they'll survive in the era of broadband Internet.  If they are smart (and they are not), they'll discern a thriving future in events like Parsec and SynaesthAsia.

2/2: In Comments, Komuso Tokugawa clarifies and explains some details.

Comments

[Komuso Tokugawa]

Hey there,
Thanks for the writeup!

Just a couple of clarifications:
It was not actually the premiere as such, but Beta test #5. It's a complex show and uses a mix of cutting edge music and communications technology in addition to SL, so we are working through some of these issues in a beta test phase.

The "Generative Visual System" is a visual instrument that was modified from a long time SL research project that connects bio and neuro feedback interfaces to Avatars and Audiovisual instruments for real time control. Generative art is an established research field, just google "generative" and you will pick up the trail.

And you are right about the music industry!;-)

cu in the bitstream, kt

[Eshi]

I love these events, the music is fantastic and the visuals exquisite! I especially got a kick out of the machinima and the shot taken through my Fishook Dress skirt. hehe