Musical Motions

Background: Musical Motions is an interdisciplinary design project that aims to support healthy ageing in place by creating a playful interaction with sound in a public space. It is supported by research into the physical and cognitive benefits of mobility programs, such as tai chi, working in complement with sound; and into the social benefits of co-creative space. Specifically, it looked to design a shared, somatic, interactive musical experience for elderly citizens. Research indicates that it is important to develop environmental infrastructure to promote physical activity, and that increased mobility and sociality contributes to positive ageing. There are a range of documented findings around the positive implications for communities in the combination of music with physical activity. Contribution: Musical Motions is an interactive prototype for healthy ageing in public spaces. It uses a Kinect to read motion, which then triggers and modulates sounds. Body movements create music (for example, left-hand movements play notes of a Chinese Dizi flute and right-hand movements play notes of a Zimbabwean Mbira thumb-piano). By entwining sound and movement, we create playful conditions that promote physical activity for positive ageing. I was a researcher and designer on this project, alongside Dr Alan Nguyen (RMIT) and Dr Jaz Choi (RMIT). Dr Anh Nguyen (geriatrician) provided specialist knowledge on mobility, and Daniel Jenatsch was the creative technologist who programmed the Kinect. Significance: From a peer reviewed open call, this work was shortlisted for the RMIT and City of Melbourne “Design for the Sensory City’ Prize, and received a $2000 prize for further development. Video demonstration: https://vimeo.com/372169694