[ISEA2011] Workshop: André Castro – Tactile Noise Machines

Workshop Statement

This workshop will be dedicated to constructions of touch-reactive noise machines. Such devices, based on a simple amplifier chip, are able to produce a variety unexpected tones and textures, depending on the position, humidity and pressure of the fingers touching its circuits’ contact-points. The body becomes part of the machines’ electrical flux, and is directly responsible for the generation of sound.  Such characteristics turn them into amusing sonic puzzles open to sensorial exploration. By the end of the workshop, apart from taking home an instrument of their own design, guaranteed to put and end to the neighbours’ peace, participants will become familiar with basic knowledge of electronics and circuit building. Participants are asked to bring non-metallic objects, such as boxes, buckets, tupperwares, etc, to house their tactile noise machines.

  • André Castro (b.1983) is a sound artist from Lisbon, Portugal, graduated in Sonic Arts by the Middlesex University. He develops works which, although often different in form, have in common the employment and exploration of sound and technology. A great part of these projects has been created in collaboration with designers, visual artists and choreographers. In recent years he has developed an interest for the potential and imaginary of the radio. For this medium, he has created the sound installation Radio Fragments, and the radiophonic documentaries Subterrâneos de Lisboa, and Boat People. Since last year he has begun to explore the world of electronics. Such incursions have resulted in the Tactile Noise project.