> Moulinex
A research and development project commissioned by the Arnolfini Gallery and Mobile Bristol, Moulinex is site specific audio work exploring the possibilities offered by wireless technology (802.11) and GPS. The work was designed to be experienced using an iPaq (handheld computer), GPS unit and headphones. It was carried out in collaboration with programmers from Mobile Bristol who are currently building the authoring software.
The piece explored the location's history as a venue for open air cinema creating a 'sonic archeology' of The Matrix and Moulin Rouge, films screened in the square. Sounds and dialogues from the films were mapped onto the location and manipulated by the visitor's movement. As the viewer moved around the area elements the soundtracks from the two films were gradually mixed and manipulated, in this way the work touched on the isolating/unique, filmic experience associated with the use of walkmans ("your personal soundtrack") and the DJ culture of quoting and mixing recognisable source material, which both film soundtracks participated in themselves. Each viewer was placed in the position of being immersed in a sound which changed in response to their location and movement history.
The project was presented to an audience in Feb 2004.
It is planned to develop further work using this technology and continuing to explore research themes arising from the project revolve around potential applications of the authoring tool, audio data management and hierarchies, authoring in the field, user authoring/ contribution, creation and perception of interactive audio experience, all with a view to the eventual incorporation of this technology within commercial mobile phones.
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