Transmission Project

27 July 2009

Transmission project Wireless transmission poses many challenges for large-scale performance, and has inspired this interdisciplinary research and development project. Chief investigators Robin Fox and Jon Rose sought to develop and test robust technologies to wirelessly transmit audio, visual and sensor-based data.

The project spanned one year and involved periods of independent research, hardware development and beta-testing phases. The collaborative teams worked in remote and metropolitan contexts to experiment within various adverse conditions. They aimed to work thematically with water, wind and air to address problems of frequency, transmission, hardware and design. Through performative exercises engaging with landscapes and communities, they tested their transmission prototypes and developed a series of new artworks.

At Wogarno Station, six hours from Perth, Fox and Rose staged an interactive Netball game with local young people. Sensors to measure the speed and movement were built into the ball, generating live audio data for ‘Team Music’. For ‘Kite Music’ and ‘Digger Music’ the artists rigged kites and excavating equipment to transmit live video and movement data. The local community engaged with each of these tests and the experimental technology, performances and generated media.

As part of Performance Space's program, Fox and Rose joined Paul Bryant, Rod Cooper and Garth Pain to stage Pursuit. Their research and tests of wireless transmission in Sydney’s high-traffic urban environment was presented as an interdisciplinary cycling performance. For this public event concluding The Transmission Project, a number of cyclists generated audio, visual and sensorial data to feed into a live performance in the Carriageworks foyer.

This innovative collaborative research project promises to benefit many artists, practices and has led to a number of new interdisciplinary artworks and networks in Australia and internationally.

The Transmission Project was supported through the Australia Council by the ArtLab initiative. ArtLab brings together new interdisciplinary collaborations for creative research programs. Previous ArtLab projects include: