Net_Working, November 2001, Bristol, UK. Art on the Net, Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, Japan.
Overview
Site_Traffic is a telepresence project that involves both a physical installation and a web-based interface component. The project functions as a fully programmable remote sequencer that allows for unique non-verbal communication between users in the physical and online spaces.
Since Site_Traffic’s programming interface lives online, the installation is best realized over time. By placing the physical device in a well-trafficed public space, repeat users can see the change in songs left by users of the project’s internet component.
Video
Prototype Users logged into the Site_Traffic server where they could program unique MIDI sequences into one of the nine physical buttons. Once inside the programming interface, users first choose a button by clicking on it. They then use sliders to choose tone samples from 127 unique MIDI instruments and 127 individual pitch changes. Once they have chosen an instrument and pitch, they then compose and record a song using on the 8 keyboard keys. After finishing a song, users submit the song which sends that song to the user chosen button
Users in the physical space could push the buttons and listen to the songs programmed through the web-based interface. They can compose their own song by pressing multiple buttons and send the note information and composition back to the online participants ‚ ie. if you are logged into Site_Traffic you can listen on the “Listening Room” screen to someone play your song.
The installation also worked for both parties if there is only one person on either end of the piece or none ‚ ie. If a user is visiting the website they will get a webcam photo of the physical piece, be able to manipulate sounds and imagery in the space even if there is no one in the physical space. If a user enters the physical space and there is no one online they can press the buttons, listen to the songs programmed into them, and send the songs back to current users.
Screenshot of web interface to Site-Traffic:
Picture of Site-Traffic breadboard:
Site-Traffic installed at the Interface Explorer conference (Vienna, Austria 10/18/01):
Article about Site-Traffic in “Electronic Realism”, IEEE Spectrum Magazine, March 2001, Volume 38, Number 3
