What is it ?

Cimes is an instrument dedicated to the interpretation and visual performance of electroacoustic music pieces. Cimes is special for its odd status, hybridizing the expressionism of an instrument with the determinism of a musical score.

The project revolves around the concept of the «sound capsule» : that is the combination of a sound and an animated shape placed on a map, that can be played through refined, intuitive interaction by a performer during a concert. This map may be called a «browsable musical score», a concept and expression invented by electroacoustic music composer Roland Cahen.

Installation vidéo à la Biennale du Design de St-Étienne 2008, en fonctionnement

How does it work ?

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A quick explanation of the production and interaction process, in video

With a focus on its usability during concerts, Cimes interface is intended for the sole use of the performer. The performer interacts with the piece through a joystick (and more recently a Wiimote !), by browsing through a map of «sound capsules» that he or she launches by reaching them with a cursor.
Simultaneously, a video projection dedicated to the public represents the sound events happening due to the performer's actions, displaying a range of shapes and animations that are specifically designed for each piece.

A screenshot of the performer's interface

Piece by piece ?

Énigme
(sound by Éric Broitmann, visuals by Matthieu Savary)

In order to be presented for 15 days in an exhibition space during the International Design Biennial in St-Étienne, a small concert was filmed and reproduced as a video installation in a space designed accordingly to a typical Cimes performance scenography : a projection screen was used as ceiling, under which an oblique net was disposed for the public, placed in a dark and comfy ambiance for the most agreable and immersive experience possible.


A screen print of the projected representation of the first piece developed for Cimes
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From the performer's point of view
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One of an infinite number of interpretations of the first piece designed for Cimes (sound by Éric Broitmann, motion & visuals by Matthieu Savary)

A screen print of the projected representation of the first piece developed for Cimes