Resonance Table in These Compulsive Behaviours, (Concert 4) RE:EVOLUTION

BACKGROUND: The Resonance table is an experimental interactive tabletop musical interface originally designed to support upper-limb rehabilitation for groups of individuals with an acquired brain injury. The Resonance table has been adapted for music performers with an intellectual disability. There are similar musical tabletop interfaces such as the REACTABLE developed by researchers at the Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona. Popular artists and musicians such as Bjork and Cold Play have incorporated the REACTABLE interface into their live performances. However the interface is complex and does not necessarily suit the needs of performers with a disability. The intuitive design of the Resonance table aims to address this need. CONTRIBUTION: The Resonance table demonstrates how collaborative modes of interaction between small groups of disabled performers (1-4) standing face-to-face around the display can build complex sounds individually and collectively. I designed the graspable user interfaces, artwork, and audiovisual feedback to facilitate the performers. I collaborated with composer Dr James Hullick to customise the RESONANCE table for the Amplified Elephants (AE) - musicians with intellectual disabilities - as part of a music performance 'These Compulsive Behaviours: RE:EVOLUTION'. RESONANCE has been specially adapted to play sounds composed by the AE and Hullick and integrated into the orchestral performance. SIGNIFICANCE: RESONANCE is supported by a Synapse Australian Research (ARC) Linkage Grant through the Australia Council, its Arts funding and advisory body (AUD 75,000). The Melbourne Festival is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals that includes a broad range of cultural events over 17 days in October. The Resonance table featured in the festival is one of the first intuitive interactive tabletop interfaces to be used by musicians with intellectual disability for a live performance. Video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1yQygG9KyE