OctoSens
osmo/za
20 May 2021 – 23 March 2023
OctoSens is an 8-channel interface that allows the reception of signals from various analog and digital sensors and their calibration. This multisensory synthesiser was developed by the OctoSens community.
During a two-month long residency starting in May 2021, artist and developer of modular sound synthesizers Václav Peloušek led the development of a new creative tool in close collaboration with the local community. The aim of the residency was to actively involve a group of participants in the entire process of creating a useful artistic product – from the idea to the final product.
Václav’s basic idea was to develop an Arduino-based sensory tool called The Sensor Synth, which can be used for multiple purposes, from sound creation to interactive installations or theatre performances.
The development process included the following steps: designing the basic idea, designing interfaces, prototyping, drawing schematics, making and ordering PCBs, creating the BOM (bill of materials), writing the Arduino library, testing, documentation & tutorial, making DIY kits, designing the workshop format and presenting the product.
In the first phase (May/June), participants designed an idea and developed from it a multi-sensor sound synthesiser called OctoSens, an 8-channel interface that allows the reception of signals from different analog and digital sensors and their calibration, as part of an intensive community development process.
In the second phase, held during PIFcamp 2021 #DIYstraction , participants tested a first prototype. This was followed by a test workshop of the community-designed device in early 2022. Local creators in the field of modular synthesis and DIY electronics were invited to participate and contribute their opinions to improve the product.
The development of a new creative tool is now complete. OctoSens was successfully presented as a creative tool in an interactive sound installation by artist Miha Godec, wich was a part of the konS platform exhibition titled konSekvence at Cukrarna Gallery. Additionally, the OctoSens communiti held a workshop where participants were able to build their own OctoSens device.
Colophon
Organised by MC Velenje and Projekt Atol Institute within the konS platform.
konS ≡ Platform for Contemporary Investigative Art is a project chosen on the public call for the selection of the operations “Network of Investigative Art and Culture Centres”. The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union.
Bios
OctoSens is a project that combines the principles of community co-design. The community was established under the mentorship of Václav Peloušek as part of an artistic residency and brings together a group to co-design and develop a device that can be used in musical performances as well as in installations or as part of workshops and other educational processes. The community is based on active mutual collaboration, democratic principles of co-determination, and the advocacy and promotion of the free flow of knowledge and information.
OctoSens was designed by Jakob Grčman, Simon Macuh, Lan Štokelj Wu, Simon Turnšek and Igor Vuk under the mentorship of Vaclav Peloušek.
OctoSens communityVáclav Peloušek is a musician, educator, artist, and founder and lead designer of the synthesizer company Bastl Instruments. He studied in Brno and at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. With Ondřej Merta, he started the art and education project Standuino (2011), which later evolved into Bastl Instruments. Since 2013, the company has developed and produced many desktop synthesizers, effects, samplers (microGranny 2, Thyme, Kastle) and a whole range of Eurorack modular synthesizer modules. The company also collaborates with Peter Edwards (Casper Electronics) on several modules and instruments, for example the softPop and the bitRanger. Coming from a D.I.Y. artistic background, Peloušek’s conducted many workshops and happenings at festivals, universities and other venues (STEIM – Amsterdam, The Cologne University of Music, Superbooth and Loop – Berlin, MuseumsQuartier – Vienna, MENT – Ljubljana, PIFcamp – Soča, Shape Platform – Meetfactory Prague, Synthposium – Moscow, Fold – London). The company has also initiated countless local community activities, organised shows and even set up the Noise Kitchen store in Prague. From 2017 to 2018, Bastl ran the venue Herna in Brno. Since 2018, Peloušek’s been developing his solo musical project Toyota Vangelis under which he’s released several singles and EPs, and performed at events around Europe (Lunchmeat or Meetfactory – Prague, Synthposium – Moscow, Modular Day – Barcelona, CV Freqs – London, Klunkerkranich or Humboldthain – Berlin). He was artist in residence at Locatie Spatie in Arnhem in 2011 and at Opekta Studios in Cologne in 2012.
Václav Peloušek
