// new media class

Ephememorion is a reactive light installation. Complementing the piano, it can cache ephemeral information of a note in light-absorbing containers that store, memorize, and forget. By parameterizing and locating the light containers, patterns and structures visualize the piano play. The visual output and auditory input form an enclosed system that communicates in a constant dialogue between sound and visualization.

Concept
Ephememorion is a composite of »ephemeral« which describes phenomena of transient behavior, and »memoria« which stands for storage as well as memory in Italian. It is embodied through the containers and their ability to store information.

Containers of Light
Ephememorion’s essence lies in the light containers. These objects consist of an opaque shell whose insides are filled with phosphorescent powder. This enables the containers to react to light impulses, absorbing and storing them for a brief moment. A container represents a physical store of information and is assigned to a key on the piano’s keyboard.

Illuminant
Phosphorescence describes the ability of a substance that continues to glow in the dark after being exposed to (UV) light. The used illuminant is a combination of Strontium aluminate. The individual textures are created randomly in the mixing process, which is done manually.

Grid
The installation consists of a grid of seven rows, each equipped with twelve light-storing containers. Each row represents an octave of the piano’s keyboard and each element represents a different note. Inspired by Serialism in music, no visual differences between semitones and major seconds are being made.

Parameterization
The auditory parameters of tone length and volume are mapped to the visual parameters of light in the form of luminous duration and intensity. Pitch is translated through a fixed position in the octave grid and each tone has a fixed position within each octave.

Graduation project (Master of Arts)
In Collaboration with: Zihern Lee