Making and controlling a laser projector using a CD lens mechanism.



DATE: November 6 & 7 2019 | 5 – 8PM
MENTORS: Alberto Novello & Luka Frelih
LOCATION: osmo/za, Slovenska 54 (8th floor), 1000 Ljubljana
REGISTRATION: delavnica@ljudmila.org

About the workshop

Participants in this two-day workshop will learn about hardware and software that is used to control laser projections. They will learn to create and manipulate laser shapes in real time using open-source sound software like Pure Data, VCV, Supercollider or similar (or a hardware synthesizer), as well as automating them in sync with music for live performance.

Participants will also make miniature laser projectors using parts of old, non-functioning CD or DVD drives and a common laser pointer. The projectors will be used to set up a collective performance or installation. At the end of the workshop they will take them home, and can use them in possible future art projects.

Participants will need to bring their own computer or modular synthesizer. They are also encouraged to bring old CD or DVD drives and cheap computer speakers, to be hacked in making the projectors. All the necessary tools and other materials will be provided.

About the mentors

Luka Frelih is a computer programmer and artist, a hacker fond of free software and a web designer. The founding member of the Ljubljana Digital Media Lab Ljudmila is today the president of the Ljudmila Society. He has participated in many projects linking technology and the arts. Frelih is a member of Theremidi Orchestra, Macrolab, ASCII Art Ensemble and pioneering net.art community projects: 7-11, Refresh, Remote-C. Programmed an instant ASCII camera, net.art generator and more than one web-based mapping interface for mobile radio-connected GPS agents. Since 2015 Frelih has been helping co-creating and participating at PIFCamp in Trenta. Since 2017, he has been co-creating OSMO / ZA, a new space for development art in Ljubljana.

Alberto Novello is a researcher, composer and visual artist. In his practice he creates analog and digital multimedia constructs, in which he deals with the concepts of instability, error and expression. He finished his BA in nuclear physics at the University of Trieste and completed his studies at the Institute of Sonology, he also holds a doctorate in electro-acoustic composition from the Technical University of Eindhoven. His works have been featured at the Amsterdam Dance Event, Venice Biennale, Impulse Tanz Vienna, Seoul International Music Festival, Emu Fest Roma, Monaco Electroacoustique, New York Computer Music Festival, Rewire Festival, etc.

Registration

Pricelist is available here. Early bird applications (until March 21) get a 10% discount. Apply by sending an email to delavnice@projekt-atol.si (until March 29) and name which module/instrument you want to build. The fee covers expenses for materials, the workshop product remains in your possession. The workshop will be held in English.

The workshop is organized by Bastl Instruments, osmo/za, Ljudmila, Art and Science Laboratory and Projekt Atol Institute, with support from the Ministry of Culture and Municipality of Ljubljana, Department for Culture.