2024
TRIP'TECH || OPERA
Interactive Body Experience - New Perception of Old Media
Opera is a cultural form that in its development has gathered together almost all other forms of art, systematically building its architecture and maximally influencing the emotionality of the listener - through music, voices, images, scenery, narrative, dance and eventfulness. For the viewer in the opera hall, an Event took place that a person rarely experienced in the life in terms of emotionality and simultaneous immersion in extremely diverse forms of art.
But today, opera no longer plays such a role in cultural life. We asked ourselves - to what extent is it possible to explain to a modern person the value and emotionality of the opera of that time? How to convey this eventfulness and enthusiasm to a person accustomed to other forms of art?
But today, opera no longer plays such a role in cultural life. We asked ourselves - to what extent is it possible to explain to a modern person the value and emotionality of the opera of that time? How to convey this eventfulness and enthusiasm to a person accustomed to other forms of art?
We created an interactive art installation where the participant was invited to listen to recordings from classical opera while being "surprised" by unusual vibrational effects from the opera, unfamiliar to modern perception, thereby possibly rediscovering opera as a genre for contemporary audiences.
To address this challenge, we developed a special vibro-vest and a web application that allowed participants to control their own sensory experience. The vibro-vest was designed based on hypotheses about key impact points on the human body, stimulating the front and back torso surfaces as well as the neck. It featured a total of 48 vibration motors and 3 vibro-speakers.
The software enabled participants to experience opera in two modes. The first mode controlled the overall background vibration, synchronized with the musical rhythm. The second mode allowed participants to manually adjust localized vibrations, effectively turning their body into a synthesizer and themselves into co-performers of the musical piece.
For the sensory experience, we selected several emotionally charged excerpts from various operas. As visual accompaniment, we used specially edited video clips featuring familiar events, locations, and narratives. This choice was intentional: in classical opera, emotional engagement relied on the audience’s understanding of symbolism, language, and unfolding narratives on stage. By integrating recognizable visuals for a modern viewer, we aimed to recreate the classical opera experience in a contemporary context.
The software enabled participants to experience opera in two modes. The first mode controlled the overall background vibration, synchronized with the musical rhythm. The second mode allowed participants to manually adjust localized vibrations, effectively turning their body into a synthesizer and themselves into co-performers of the musical piece.
For the sensory experience, we selected several emotionally charged excerpts from various operas. As visual accompaniment, we used specially edited video clips featuring familiar events, locations, and narratives. This choice was intentional: in classical opera, emotional engagement relied on the audience’s understanding of symbolism, language, and unfolding narratives on stage. By integrating recognizable visuals for a modern viewer, we aimed to recreate the classical opera experience in a contemporary context.
Ultimately, we invited participants to explore their emotionality and enhance their perception of complex music through this technological solution. We believe that this development holds great potential—not only for rethinking the perception of fading, archaic media but also for offering a new perspective on existing art tools and solutions.
