Brain sensing and syncing
Sensing Projections explores the phenomena of brain synchronization and empathy, promoting the socialization of brain activity.
The workshop integrates a Brain-Computer Interface with a live art-tech installation, mixing the physical and digital into a “phygital” immersive experience.
“Every step forward into the workshop is a new surprise, principally discovering your mind’s power”
Tammy
How it works
Our Brain-Computer interface allows connecting up to 10 participants simultaneously to the audiovisual sets (2 teams mean 20 attendants). Each participant wears a wireless headband that sends their individual brain activity signal to the computer. There the brainwaves are merged as a unified input and connected to the situational scenes of reactive visuals and music. By tuning their brain activity, they modify intentionally the output in real-time.
The resulting interactive audiovisual environment will not only function as a cinematographic extension of the performance but will also re-influence the brain activity of participants, creating a closed feedback loop.
Learn more
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Closed-loop method is receiving increasing attention with recent technological advances that enable complex feedback loops to be implemented with millisecond resolution on commodity hardware. We summarize emerging conceptual and methodological frameworks that investigate the “brain in the loop” using non-invasive brain stimulation through sight, hearing, and body movement. We use the so-called “task dynamics loop”, which is a bidirectional motor-sensory interaction between the brain and (simulated) environment, and which enables goal-directed behavioral tasks to be incorporated.
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Apart from the visual and sonic input we also help the attendants with a crash course of basic movements that are highly efficient in supporting their brain synchronization. These collective movements are based on contemporary dance techniques and dance therapy. Studies as well as our own practice show that while listening and moving to music at a live event, people’s brains become attuned, synchronizing their low-frequency brain waves. This provides an experience of social bonding, which explains why this kind of activity has been present in many different forms throughout the entire history of humankind.
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Dancing is also associated with “flow”, a well-researched phenomenon in which a person becomes fully immersed in an activity. Flow helps to balance the activation of the part of the neural network which is responsible for logical deduction and detailed observation, making room for the creative neural network. The improvised movements activate synapse processes into the lizard brain that awaken intuitive reactions. This way we switch from the analytical to the experiential mode, promoting healthier behavior in the context of mind-body culture.
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Introduction — What we’re about to do and experience
How it works — Presentation of the hardware and the situational scenes with reactive visuals and sound
Movement crash course — Short training on how behavior and physical movement can help to reach the best results in playing with the installation
First-time high — Splitting the team into groups and trying out the hardware
Brainchild — Each group composes and rehearses its own show through teamwork
Performance — The teams perform their shows for each other
Feedback Session —Discussing the results and experiences from both the aspect of performers and observers, sharing footage of the performances
“In our company visit to Berlin, this was the cherry on top of the cake”
Tim
Workshop Details
Duration
The workshop is available as a single session activity (3 hours long), or as a more extensive tailor-made program series based on the requests of the client.
Number of Participants
Maximum 20 attendants (two groups of up to 10 participants) in case of a single session. By extending the duration or giving multiple workshops it is possible to include more groups.
Prices
The workshop prices vary depending on factors such as the number of participants, workshop duration, and frequency, whether held on the same day or as part of a multi-session monthly program.
Please let us know about any optional requests in your inquiry.
We can arrange an external location if needed, or set up an extended workshop series for you.