Noise Under the Influence
by 23N!

Noise Under the Influence (NUI) is a performance by noise performer 23N!. It can be setup as an installation too. Simply put, the performance NUI consists in dynamically generating noise music from the blood alcohol content (BAC) of the performer. During the performance, the performer consumes alcohol and several breathalyzers (breath analyzers or alcohol sensors) are used to generate sounds. In addition, the abuse of alcohol inevitably leads to uncontrollable results and the body of the performer becomes itself a musical instrument. Technical statement Several alcohol sensors (five in the current version plus an additional wireless one) output each a voltage that depends on the BAC of the performer. These voltages are measured by an Arduino board and sent to a program written in Processing that processes them and sends them through OSC (Open Sound Control) to a Pure Data patch. The patch dynamically generates sounds from the received data as well as an optional visual. In addition, a piezoelectric sensor is placed on the throat of the performer, allowing the sound emitted by one of the (un)desirable effects of the consumption of various alcohols in a very short time, namely vomiting, to be processed too by the Pure Data patch. Artist statement Performing live acts in front of an audience is not always an easy process. One is exposed to the fear of committing mistakes, to fail to communicate something meaningful or the intended message to the audience or just to the inability to entertain. The pressure to perform a good act can somehow be overcame by consuming alcohol. However, there is a risk of loosing the control of the performance that might be affected by a too high consumption of alcohol. The NUI performance is a way to use the stress reliever that is alcohol as a mean to achieve the performance itself. In addition, it puts the performer in a position of weakness where the gradual loss of control over the performance and his own body becomes an intrinsic part of the performance. Let's not forget too the guilty pleasure of getting drunk in public and the even greater pleasure of doing so together with the audience. Moreover, the performance gives a good excuse for drinking alcohol and as experience has proved it, for being offered free drinks. Setup as an installation While meant to be a performance, NUI can be easily set up as an installation. The sensors can be installed for anyone to use with alcoholic beverages made available as part of the installation. All is needed for this installation is: a computer, several alcohol sensors, an Arduino board, speakers, optional visual (video projector) and alcohol. Given the simplicity of this setup, why not set up Noise Under the Influence at your next party ? Software/Hardware I don't make the Pd patches available as I think anyone should create his/her own sound. Moreover, the use of another software is totally possible. The Arduino can be connected directly to Pd instead of going through Processing. Or it can be connected to another software (Arduino communicates through a serial connection). The sensors are alcohol gas sensors MQ-3 bought at SparkFun for 5 USD each. Event/Exhibitions 2009.03.20 Live performance at Gamuso (Tokyo) for the event Electric Soup vol. 1 (YouTube) 2009.01.30 Live performance at Fourth Floor (Tokyo) for the event Kichigai (YouTube) 2008.12.21 Live performance at Soup (Tokyo) for the event Sound Follies 3. Media Flickr YouTube (demo video)