The Artist

Authors' Names

Stephanie Whitney

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Artist Statement

Music has been ingrained in human culture for thousands of years. It is tied into many facets of life. We use it to teach, to heal, to tell stories, and even to pass on history. It has the unique capacity to embody emotion and memory on a personal and universal level. Because of this there is no way to give a direct definition of the meaning of music. With this thought in hand, I asked myself if there is a way to capture what our brain goes through while listening to a song?

Within my work as a media artist I began to build a code in processing that could do just that. The Artist Is a series of still images that is created by utilizing brainwaves of subjects while they listen to a specific song chosen by me. Each image represents a small piece of that person’s memory and feelings that come up when they listen to that song. I wanted this to be shown in the image so I made the objects that the spikes in brainwaves produce small yet deep and complex on a vast canvas. But when all the objects come together it seems as though you are looking in on something much larger than just an image. In order for this to work I had to relinquish control over how each piece would turn out and let the brainwaves speak for themselves. Because of this they are all vastly different and each one stands out on its own even though each one is run through the same code.

The ideal space for me to present this piece would be a ten by five foot area. I will also need a TV to project on and will be providing the computer, software, and headset. The best way for me to show my piece would be to do a live presentation and allow people to participate and create the art as well as be able to view the still images that are created.

Mentor Name

Micheal Musick

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Feb 22nd, 4:40 PM Feb 22nd, 4:55 PM

The Artist

UC North Ballroom

Music has been ingrained in human culture for thousands of years. It is tied into many facets of life. We use it to teach, to heal, to tell stories, and even to pass on history. It has the unique capacity to embody emotion and memory on a personal and universal level. Because of this there is no way to give a direct definition of the meaning of music. With this thought in hand, I asked myself if there is a way to capture what our brain goes through while listening to a song?

Within my work as a media artist I began to build a code in processing that could do just that. The Artist Is a series of still images that is created by utilizing brainwaves of subjects while they listen to a specific song chosen by me. Each image represents a small piece of that person’s memory and feelings that come up when they listen to that song. I wanted this to be shown in the image so I made the objects that the spikes in brainwaves produce small yet deep and complex on a vast canvas. But when all the objects come together it seems as though you are looking in on something much larger than just an image. In order for this to work I had to relinquish control over how each piece would turn out and let the brainwaves speak for themselves. Because of this they are all vastly different and each one stands out on its own even though each one is run through the same code.

The ideal space for me to present this piece would be a ten by five foot area. I will also need a TV to project on and will be providing the computer, software, and headset. The best way for me to show my piece would be to do a live presentation and allow people to participate and create the art as well as be able to view the still images that are created.