Danceroom Spectroscopy: collectively generating music from movement

在分子尺度上理解支配世界如何运作的基本模式和规则，推动了化学研究。特别是，化学物理受量子力学定律的支配，光谱学是获得量子力学系统行为和结构信息的基本工具。光谱学是利用光来获取有关物质的信息，在许多领域都有应用，包括过程控制、分析方法、天体物理学和医学。在过去的50年里，一种叫做快速傅里叶变换（FFT）的数学方法彻底改变了光谱技术。FFT允许时间相关的信号很容易地转换成频谱，这导致了许多领域的巨大进步，包括EPSRC研究范围内的一些学科领域：化学物理、量子力学、生物化学、有机化学、分析化学、激光物理、生物医学成像和数字信号处理。Danceroom光谱学项目提供了一种创新的体验形式，让公众参与频谱科学、FFT和小波分析以及定量反馈。在Danceroom光谱学中，一群跳舞的人的动作会塑造他们听到的音乐。利用尖端的机器人成像技术、计算机和数学，电子艺术家（或DJ）将有效地从人群中获取“氛围”，然后他/她将能够将其融入舞曲中。舞池光谱学将使用悬浮在舞池上方的三维成像摄像机来跟踪房间里的动作，就像参与者的头部在池水表面掀起涟漪一样。使用FFT和小波方法，这些在旋转人群中的涟漪和波浪的模式将被转换成频谱，然后将其输入音乐软件，电子艺术家可以将其转换成节拍和声音——从而从运动中产生音乐，并将音乐反馈给人群。该项目符合PPE计划的目标：研究人员将开展与他们的研究兴趣直接相关的公众参与活动（DRG和MNRA），培训和学习机会将被纳入项目，提供一种创新的方式，让公众参与前沿和有影响力的研究领域，这些研究领域的应用充斥着我们的现代生活。数学和科学推动了现代世界的进步；然而，很少有人尝试探索这些主题如何与现场艺术互动以吸引公众的有意义的方式。虽然最近EPSRC的公共参与资金是面向探索科学和艺术的边界（例如，心脏机器人项目，和一切与无项目），但Danceroom光谱项目是独一无二的，因为它试图创造一个真正的互动和共生的体验，让公众参与者沉浸在科学和艺术之间的前沿。Danceroom光谱学项目还涉及当代社会和文化问题：(1)人们越来越受到监视，而Danceroom光谱学是对这些技术的有趣探索：三维“监视”是人群和电子艺术家之间有效的互动媒介，以促进通过集体行动放大的共享，有意义和愉快的体验。数字技术正被用来为人们提供他们可以控制的日益个性化的体验（例如，ipod、“无声迪斯科”等）。舞厅光谱学依赖于集体运动和连贯性的形式，因此代表了对音乐体验日益原子化趋势的有意义的回应

Understanding the fundamental patterns and rules that govern how the world functions at a molecular scale drives research in chemistry. In particular, chemical physics is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, and spectroscopy is a fundamental tool for obtaining information about the behaviour and structure of quantum mechanical systems. Spectroscopy is the use of light to obtain information about matter, and has applications in a number of fields including process control, analytical methods, astrophysics, and medicine. In the last 50 years, spectroscopic techniques have been revolutionized by a mathematical method called the fast Fourier transform (FFT). The FFT permits time dependent signals to be easily converted into frequency spectra, and this has lead to tremendous advances in a number of fields, including a number of subject areas within the EPSRC research remit: chemical physics, quantum mechanics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, laser physics, biomedical imaging, and digital signal processing. The Danceroom Spectroscopy project offers an innovative and experiential format for engaging members of the public with the science of frequency spectra, FFT and wavelet analysis, and quantitative feedback. In Danceroom Spectroscopy, the movements of a crowd of dancing people will shape the music they hear. Using cutting-edge robotics imaging technology, computing, and mathematics, an electronica artist (or DJ) will effectively source a 'vibe' from the crowd, which he/she will then be able to incorporate into the dance music. Danceroom Spectroscopy will use three dimensional imaging cameras suspended above a dance floor to track movements in the room, much as if the heads of the participants were making ripples and waves on the surface of a pool of water. Using FFT and wavelet methods, the patterns of these ripples and waves in the gyrating crowd will be transformed to frequency spectra, which will then be fed into music software that the electronic artist can translate into beats and sounds - thus generating music from movement and feeding that music back to the crowd.This project fits with the objectives of the PPE scheme: researchers will carry out public engagement activities that connect directly to their research interests (DRG and MNRA), and training and learning opportunities will be built into the project, providing an innovative manner in which members of the public will engage with a cutting-edge and impactful area of research whose applications saturate our modern lives.Mathematics and science drive much of the progress in the modern world; however, few attempts have been made to explore meaningful ways in which these subjects can interact with live art to engage the public. While recent EPSRC public engagement funding is oriented toward exploring the boundaries of science and art (e.g., the Heart Robot project, and the Everything and Nothing project), the Danceroom Spectroscopy project is unique insofar as it seeks to create a truly interactive and symbiotic experience that immerses public participants in the frontiers between science and art. The Danceroom Spectroscopy project also engages with contemporary societal and cultural issues:(1) People are increasingly subject to surveillance, and Danceroom Spectroscopy is an interesting exploration of these technologies: three dimensional 'surveillance' is effectively the medium for interaction between the crowd and the electronica artist, in order to facilitate shared, meaningful and enjoyable experiences amplified by collective action.(2) Digital technology is being exploited to offer people increasingly individualised experiences that they can control (e.g., iPods, the 'silent disco', etc.). Danceroom Spectroscopy, relying as it does on forms of collective motion and coherence, thus represents a meaningful response to trends in which musical experiences are increasingly atomized