The Overtone Violin is an entirely custom built, radically augmented musical instrument that preserves the traditions of violin technique while adding a whole new set of possibilities for the musician.
Rolf Gehlhaar: designer and programmer of current system
Philippe Prevot (F) and Per Hartmann (UK): earlier systems software
A number of proprietary ultrasonic ranging units (8-10) overlook an empty space (40 – 80 msq). This ranging system measures the positions and movements of persons (1 – 10) in the space; the data is used to create ‘musical topologies’, to trigger sounds/influence compositional algorithms.
SOUND=SPACE is an interactive multi-user musical environment in which visitors trigger and influence the production of sounds and souns sequences merely by moving about an empty space surveyed by an ultrasonic echolocation system. Since its development it has been displayed publicly worldwide, becoming a particular favourite with special needs groups primarily because it makes creative musical expression accessible to persons generally excluded. SOUND=SPACE is still being explored by visitors and participants in creative workshops for special needs groups. At the time of writing one of the systems is installed permanently in the Casa da Musica, Porto, Portugal, where workshops for special needs groups are taking place weekly.
