Project proposal - Moshirt
The project I want to create is a shirt/vest/suit that reacts to dancing. This has been done before, I know.
I want to focus on the underground metal scene. One thing that is predominant in metal shows is the moshing. I therefore want to create a social environment where moshing is encouraged and will allow for the playing of music within the environment.
This critiques “artsy” art. In that in order to make it work, violence is required. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the participant. One option is to bring headphones into the mix and have a silent moshing session, mapped directly to the collisions between the participants. Creating quite a sight for any onlookers.
When at an actual show, the comrandery between headbangers is surprising. The point is to be aggressive, not to get hurt. If a brother falls, he is picked up right away. In the same manner, the participants need one another to make the installation really function. And the more they mosh, the longer the music will be played for, rewarding directly the endurance of participants. In this manner, the users are doubly empowered from the brotherhood of moshing and from the power of the music.
One reason/meaning for creating this project is party personal. I am sometimes asked why I attend metal shows, why I mosh, why I get hurt. This project would give a greater meaning to the act of headbanging and moshing. These acts of violent comradery would bring the source of the violence to life. Also, metal has always been a performance-strong musical style. Recordings are not always high-quality for cause of lack of budget. The place that metal shines most is at live shows. It is also where you can get together with friends to mosh around, make a wall-of-death. No other social environment projects such a violent, friendly, and communal spirit. In a way, if this project can make moshing more mainstream and reveal the true intentions of metalheads, I will have correctly realized my goal.
A predetermined song list would also be defined in order to achieve maximum mosh-ness. Ranging from Death Metal, Melodic Metal, Technical Metal, Metalcore, etc. The restrictions on musical choice are based on BPM, riffs and the probability that the headbangers will want to continue on moshing.
SIMILAR PROJECTS
This project is inspired by the music making suit of Pjotro. This suit with its sensors generates sensors.
Also, from the exhibit at Oboro, the International Dance Party, which is a machine that detects partying and plays techno music and adds light and smoke and lasers in the game.