AVOL: Towards an integrated audio-visual expression

Abstract

ABSTRACTAudio-Visual On Line (AVOL) is an interactive audio-visual project for the Web, installation and performance by Video Jack (a duo composed of the author and André Carrilho). AVOL was one of the four winners of a competition by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture to develop artworks for their net art portal. Further to the launch of this portal, AVOL has been presented as installation and as performance. In AVOL, users manipulate seven ‘objects’ composed of different elements: a sound loop, an animated visualization of that sound, and graphical user interface elements that facilitate the integrated manipulation of sound and image. Each of the objects has four main variations, allowing for multiple audio-visual combinations. The objects may interact with each other, creating additional diversity. The main research question that the project addresses is: how to develop a project that allows for an integrated musical and visual expression, in a way that is playful to use and engaging to experience. The methodology used for the evaluation of the project is practice-based research. In this article, the project and its motivations are presented, as well as prior work from the same authors in the field of interactive audio-visual art. A short discussion of the state of the art follows. The development of the project and the different modes of presentation (Web, installation and performance) are discussed, as well as feedback gathered. Conclusions are then reached, and possible future developments are outlined.