Voice Visualizer aims to improve the quality of communication in the public place. This real-time interactive device emerged from my projects Visible Noise/Invisible Lights, 16’ 28”, and Everyday Noise, all of which deal with sound and graphic elements. For this project, I utilized an analogue megaphone shaped like a big triangular pyramid. A small projector, video receiver, and microphone are installed inside and a translucent acrylic screen is mounted on the open circular end. The screen represents the human voice through various graphics. It has three visual options: pixel patterns, spirograph patterns, and color spectrum. Each option has a system that responds to the level of volume and pitch programmed through a MaxMSP/Jitter software program.
There are numerous ways to improve the connectivity between a performer and the audience in the public space. People have developed multi-channel sound systems, stage design, and environmental design for speeches in the park, choruses in the concert hall, etc. Those developments are all about better interactivity, such as how to send and receive sound clearly, and how to make people face stages. What else do we need for interaction in the public sphere? I watched many famous speech films in preparing this project, and I could not get involved well because the film looked like a still frame, or like a boring book without images. So, my key question was how to underline the voice to convey importance and emphasis. Visualizing the voice of a performer offers an increased level of concentration and enjoyable graphics at the same time. By using the sense of sight and hearing at the same time, this communication method helps the audience feel the atmosphere in a very welcoming way. Also hearing-impaired people can feel activity and the manner of speaking or singing through these colors and patterns.
