Kinetic Light Drums on Governors Island NYC

Thanks to everyone that came down and played light drums in the magazine! This performance is incredible and truly lived up to the NYT press release:

Jenn Figg and Matthew McCormack are preparing their kinetic light drum sculptures for performances on Governors Island this July 23 - 25, 2010. Their performance installation, titled Kinetic Light Drums, is part of a larger investigation of energy transformation and public interaction.

The light drum performance will reverberate the old gunpowder storage magazine in historic Fort Jay on Governors Island. The island is a former military base now managed by the Governor's Island Preservation and Education Corporation. Within sight of Jersey City, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, the island landscape is undergoing rapid change as the large open spaces are challenged by the demand for commercial development and cultural enhancements. The cool darkness of the restored magazine will explode with human generated light and sound. The audience will be invited to become performers alongside local percussionists. The performance of this work in Fort Jay is a way for us to reclaim and appropriate a space that has been off limits to civilians.

Kinetic Light Drums works on a principle of biorhythms. The light created within the instrument is organic and dynamic, rather than the mechanized strobes of police lights and the television. While referencing these pulsing lights, they are intended to disrupt and unwind the catatonic effects of the stupefying, hypnotic, and poisonous light vibrations prevalent in our everyday experience.

The drums are self-contained, fully functional and user powered. The work is activated and illuminated with direct human interaction. For instance, when the instrument is drummed upon, the ultra-sensitive speaker converts sound energy into light through 8-10 ultra bright LED's, which are diffused into custom enclosures. As the drum is played, the light reflects and diffuses through the instrument body, going out into space to bounce off walls and the audience.

Kinetic Light Drums affirms our power and ability to guide civic development towards a culturally vibrant and sustainable future.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• kinetic light sculpture
• matthew mccormack
• jenn figg
• light drumming
• djembe
• ritual
• community
• light up drums
• performance art
• light sculpture
• LMCC
• GIPEC
• drum circle
• public performance
• public art
• light art
• interactive art
• interactive sculpture
• new media
• diy circuit
• speaker transducer
• speaker generator
• glo kit
• magic
• fire
• mystic

[dsayone]

How do you make those light up? Do you use piezoelectric? How do you get enough current to power the lights?

[chive34]

@dsayone Check out the "more info" on this video. Let me know if you have any other Qs.

[dsayone]

@chive34 Thanks for the info. When I saw your video, I thought how cool it would be to put it on my drum set. I tried piezos and flexible piezos but they don't generate enough current. I will have to experiment with some speakers, although it won't be practical on the drum set, I can put on hand drums for when I get together with friends. GREAT IDEA DUDE!

[wooferdrums]

I make these too, been doing it for awhile. My design is different, but the concept is the same. Your glass drums are awe-inspiring. I have been making drums for almost 20 years, nice job on the lights. I actually found the lights to be distracting at night in drum circles, I was disappointed, but solo drummers with a lighted drum system seem to be fine.

[mrogjb777]

Is there any way you could send me one of these lights to put in my own drums, if so email me @- brownie_creampie@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!

[inca34]

Beautiful!