… human traces transformed into music…
Humans move – we take the bus, tram, car or bike to work, we drop by our neighbors and friends on an evening stroll, we take the dog for a walk, we go on holiday and travel miles to a cottage or across the globe to a distant beach, and so on. 2020 and 2021 has been a time of lockdown, travel restrictions and home quarantine. The human movement has been restricted in ways that was hard to imagine before the beginning of 2020, and the restrictions continues to influence our lives. During this pandemic time we have learned to connect digitally, our digital presence is increased and the social interaction limited and distanced.
Tracks is a participatory project, that needs your contribution to come to life. You participate by recording your GPS-data during a segment of time during a day, or days, and sharing your data with us by exporting it as a GPX-file (or CSV-file) and emailing the file to cateyedpeople@coscene.org
We started Tracks – human traces transformed into music 2020 as part of the Nordic Summer University’s Tracing the Spirit – NSU 70th Anniversary. At the gallery you can see the traces we received and listen to the two compositions made from the data.
FAQ’s
How do I participate?
You use a GPS-tracking application that can record your movement, and can export the GPS-data to an GPX file. Many application can do this, if you already have an application installed check if, and how, you can export your data using your GPS application. You decide when, and for how long you want to record. We encourage you to send more than one recording if you want, no limit for how many, length or duration is set. Feel free to do the recording in your own preferred way. When you have recorded, and exported you simply email us the GPX-file at cateyedpeople@coscene.org
When do you need my file?
We need your file by latest 31st of July.
What do I need to participate?
You need an application that can record your GPS-data and export this data into a GPX-file (or a CSV-file). Examples of such applications are Strava, Runkeeper, Garmin Connect, etc. We recommend Strava if you walk, run, or bike. It works both for Android and iOS and you download it in App Store or Google Play. To export your recorded movement, you have two options. If your device is an Android one you can install Strava to GPX / StratraX. Here you do the export and can, directly from the app, mail the GPX-file to us. If you are using an iPhone you can use the bookmarklet script Maps to GPX. You should use the minimal alternative when saving, and Chrome. Take a look at their instruction-video to get the hang of how to add the bookmark script. The other alternative which works for both Android and iOS is to register for a free trial at www.strava.com then you will have the option to export from your account directly (but you need to remember to quit the account if you do not want to pay after the trial month. In many premium versions of other GPS tracking applications, feel free to use anyone you prefer, the above is just a suggestion. If you have any questions or problems send us an email and we will try to help you out.
What do I do with the GPX-file?
You email it to us at cateyedpeople@coscene.org
What happens with the data I share?
The data you send will be exported to a MIDI-file and imported into the music production software Ableton, refined and composed together into a work of sound, a piece of music steaming from your movements. All data is collected and used exclusively for the work and art, and no information is saved or shared that can be connected to you.
Questions?
Drop us a mail at cateyedpeople@coscene.org or connect with on FB
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