The Human Skin as an Interface for Musical Expression

Alexander Müller-Rakow, and Jochen Fuchs

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

This paper discusses the utilization of human skin as a tangible interface for musical expression and collaborative performance. We present an overview of existing different instrument designs that include the skin as the main input. As a further development of a previous exploration [16] we outline the setup and interaction methods of `Skintimacy', an instrument that appropriates the skin for low voltage power transmission in multi-player interaction. Observations deriving from proof-of-concept exploration and performances using the instrument are brought into the reflection and discussion concerning the capabilities and limitations of skin as an input surface.

Citation

Alexander Müller-Rakow, and Jochen Fuchs. 2012. The Human Skin as an Interface for Musical Expression. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1178335

BibTeX Entry

@inproceedings{Muller2012,
 abstract = {This paper discusses the utilization of human skin as a tangible interface for musical expression and collaborative performance. We present an overview of existing different instrument designs that include the skin as the main input. As a further development of a previous exploration [16] we outline the setup and interaction methods of `Skintimacy', an instrument that appropriates the skin for low voltage power transmission in multi-player interaction. Observations deriving from proof-of-concept exploration and performances using the instrument are brought into the reflection and discussion concerning the capabilities and limitations of skin as an input surface.},
 address = {Ann Arbor, Michigan},
 author = {Alexander M{\''u}ller-Rakow and Jochen Fuchs},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.1178335},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 keywords = {Skin-based instruments, skin conductivity, collaborative interfaces, embodiment, intimacy, multi-player performance},
 publisher = {University of Michigan},
 title = {The Human Skin as an Interface for Musical Expression},
 url = {http://www.nime.org/proceedings/2012/nime2012_177.pdf},
 year = {2012}
}