Channelling Interference

'Since the central nervous-system functions – especially those of the cerebral cortex – are amongst the last to be technically supplanted, it has remained superficially plausible to represent technics as the region of anthropoid knowing corresponding to the technical manipulation of nature, subsumed under the total system of natural science, which is in turn subsumed under the universal doctrines of epistemology, metaphysics, and ontology.'¹⁾

Channelling Interference is an experimental performance exploring biofeedback and the bodies crude replication and integration into electronic circuits. Using homebuilt amplifiers and electrodes the body is connected into a circuit with cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. Electrons shot beyond the phosphor coated monitor screen contact the body and create bioelectrical feedback loops within the circuit resulting in distortions of sound and image. The body acts as resistor and antenna controlling electrical flow and channelling electromagnetic energy, such as radio signals. Multiple bodies can be connected to expand the “living” circuit.

This workshop will expand and explore upon this idea over the course of two days through experiments into bioelectromagnetics, approached from a creative and amateur scientific way. Experiments and attempts to replicate neuron, axon, and membrane circuits with self constructed hardware techniques and basic equipment will be undertaken. Attempts at the amplification of electric potentials existing in the body will also be explored. All circuits will be attached to the body via self constructed electrodes and integrated into the CRT circuit. Multiple CRT monitors and combinations of linking participants bodies together will be experimented with to lead towards a live public performance at the end of the workshop.

11:00 - 18:00

• Construction of amplifiers and electrodes
• Amplification of bioelectromagnetic properties of the body
• Construction of various cell mimicking circuitry
• Connection to the TV

11:00 - 17:00 workshop

19:00 - 21:00 public performances & demos

• Continuation and experimentation with cell mimicking circuits
• Re-wiring CRT monitor inputs
• Explorations of feedback with multiple circuits, multiple bodies, and multiple monitors

• Evening public performance

Source: Irving P. Herman. Physics of the Human Body. Springer-Verlag 2007

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodgkin%E2%80%93Huxley_model

Source: Irving P. Herman. Physics of the Human Body. Springer-Verlag 2007

Source: Neuromorphic silicon neuron circuits. Frontiers in Neuroscience. published: 31 May 2011 doi: 10.3389/fnins.2011.00073

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axon_hillock

initial experiments

Source: Neuromorphic silicon neuron circuits. Frontiers in Neuroscience. published: 31 May 2011 doi: 10.3389/fnins.2011.00073

Human Retinal Circuitry and Physiology

http://www.rexresearch.com/flanagan/neuroph.htm#3393

http://pinouts.ru/Video/VGAVesaDdc_pinout.shtml

This workshop is limited to 8 participants.

Ideally this workshop is looking for a range of participants from electronic music / sonic arts, new media, dance, performance art, neuroscience, and people with knowledge of the physics of the human body.

Send notifications of interest to ryan [at] nnnnn.org.uk

No previous experience is necessary but may be beneficial.

Workshop cost is £60 for 2days and covers all materials.

Location: nnnnn, Unit 73a, 8 Andrews Road, Hackney, London, E8 4QN.

Previous notes can be found here and here.

Rob Hart, Mic Rutledge, Michelle Lewis-King, Lorah Pierre, Justyn Keeley, Seth Ayyaz, Lucy Thane, Ryan Jordan.

large copper coil for electromagnetic induction passing through the axon-hillock circuit and amplifier

acupuncture needles passing through amplifier and going into crt monitor

“modular” voltage-amplifier integrated trigger and fire neuron

“a long-range constant feedback loop into the standard neural field”

biofeedback circuit

axon-hillock, i&f neuron, biofeedback, and cell membrane circuits

some shapes via the circuits coming out of the crt (retina)

optical feedback synth

axon-hillock and speaker/magnet feedback

biofeedback

31 radio experiments shot

the body is integrated